Would the Bengals trade for Maxx Crosby? Duke Tobin weighs in

INDIANAPOLIS – Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth set the NFL rumor mill on fire when he proposed a mega trade proposal for his former team ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine.

“Go get Maxx Crosby at all costs,” Whitworth said on his “Fitz and Whit” podcast when discussing what the Bengals should do this offseason.

For the Bengals to acquire a player of Crosby’s caliber, they would need to be ready to take a big swing like giving up a future first-round pick and taking another major contract on the books.

More: Where Bengals stand with Trey Hendrickson at NFL combine

So, is Cincinnati willing to make a bold move like that?

Maxx Crosby trade chance for Bengals

Bengals fans shouldn’t get their hopes up as it seems unrealistic at this point. Here’s what the Bengals’ director of personnel Duke Tobin had to say on the subject.

“We’re always looking if there’s an opportunity that we feel warrants it,” Tobin said on Feb. 24. “You have to give up things, and when you take a big swing, there’s a big chance you miss. And it can stay with you for a long time and keep you in the dugout, if we’re staying with baseball. We don’t want to stay in the dugout. That’s not a place we want to be.

“You don’t get to take a big swing for free. Big swings take big compensation.”

The Bengals say they’ve proven they are all in with other decisions i.e. paying top dollar for wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase last season and making a rare in-season trade for Joe Flacco.

Bengals draft pick trade history

Cincinnati puts a premium on draft picks. Bengals owner Mike Brown and Tobin strongly believe in building through the draft, and giving up a first-round pick isn’t something they do often.

“It’s got to be worth it… we don’t ignore opportunities that are out there,” Tobin said. “There are a lot of opportunities out there, and I think the offseason is the time to build your football team from the ground up. And that’s what we’re gonna try to do this offseason.”

You can never say never in the NFL. Crazy things happen all the time.

Tobin’s response makes it hard to believe the Bengals would be inclined to give up a first-round pick or make a splash move the likes of which fans are clamoring for.

Bengals cap space in 2026

Tobin believes given the cap space they have available this year and owning the No. 10 draft pick, they can get back to being a contender in 2026. Cincinnati ranks No. 7 in the NFL in most cap space available with $53 million.

“We’re excited about attacking this offseason,” Tobin said. “We have resources to attack the offseason in a big way, and we want to do that.”

It’s exactly what they’ll try to do, starting with an important week in Indianapolis. The Bengals must hit on their free agency signings and draft more players who can make an impact right away.

They believe they can achieve all of that without mortgaging their future.

“We’re trying to put the best roster together every year, and this year is no different,” Tobin said.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Maxx Crosby trade rumors at 2026 NFL Scouting Combine for Bengals

Would the Bengals trade for Maxx Crosby? Duke Tobin weighs in

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