April 7, 2026, 7:00 p.m. ET

Vague social media messages that fans hope hint at big things have fired up around the Cincinnati Bengals once again. 

This time, it’s all the fault of defensive lineman BJ Hill. 

Hill threw out a certain emoji on social media early this week that fired up fans. He’s not usually too active on social media as it is, but the context made it notable. 

The context is the trade rumors surrounding Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants. Before he came over via trade to the Bengals years ago, Hill had played with Lawrence in the Big Apple. 

While the Bengals still need help in the heart of the defense next to Hill and Lawrence would be an upgrade, it’s hard to imagine Cincinnati has any interest in making the trade happen, then paying up on a massive contract extension. 

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Still, Hill’s affiliation with Lawrence certainly got Bengals fans talking after his message. 

Meanwhile, other Bengals fans wondered if the message merely meant the team had reunited with free agent DJ Reader.