Everything you’re about to read is purely hypothetical because, let’s be honest, the Bengals aren’t likely to make any moves at the NFL Trade Deadline.
But let’s imagine, for a moment, that the Bengals’ front office wakes up tomorrow with a sudden urge to either sacrifice draft picks to make a championship push this season or accumulate them to prepare for the future.
The Bills clearly believe Amari Cooper can help them win a Super Bowl. The Jets see Davante Adams as the missing piece to their puzzle.
Meanwhile, the Browns and Raiders understand that their current wide receivers won’t be enough to get them to the playoffs—nothing will. Sitting at 1-5 and 2-4, respectively, neither team has the roster to compete for a postseason spot.
The Bengals, also at 2-4, are in a different position. Unlike Cleveland or Las Vegas, Cincinnati has a roster capable of contending for a Super Bowl. They were considered legitimate contenders before the season began—though that perception has changed./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73656885/usa_today_23800983.0.jpg)
However, the season isn’t over. The Bengals still have a shot at winning their division, and while securing the No. 1 seed seems unlikely, it’s not mathematically impossible if things break their way.
Had the Bengals started 4-2, fans would be clamoring for the front office to trade for a star pass rusher like Maxx Crosby, another defensive tackle, or a lockdown corner. If they were 0-6—or had lost to the Giants—many would be calling for trades involving Tee Higgins or Trey Hendrickson.
Right now, though, uncertainty reigns. Fans, and likely the front office, are paralyzed by the unpredictability of the season. The Bengals could very well make the playoffs—or they could end up with another top-20 draft pick.
If Cincinnati makes a move for a top-tier defender, it could provide the spark they need to turn the season around. But what if it doesn’t? What if they give up valuable draft capital for a move that doesn’t pan out? With a 2-4 record, they’ll need to string together multiple winning streaks, and the odds of making the playoffs currently sit around 35 percent.
Is that enough to justify making a trade? Probably not for the Bengals, but if you were in charge, would you take the risk, knowing the chances are slim?
On the other hand, doing nothing carries its own consequences. The Bengals should have traded A.J. Green in the final year of his contract when it was clear they weren’t contenders. Instead, they let him walk for nothing, citing a reluctance to strengthen other teams.
The same mistake could happen with Tee Higgins.
Right now, not only is a potential MVP-caliber season from Joe Burrow being squandered, but Higgins and Hendrickson could bring back significant draft capital from playoff-bound teams. Wouldn’t it be a shame to see Higgins leave in free agency with nothing in return—not just for the fans, but for Higgins himself?
Mike Brown may not want to hear it, but the Bengals need to act.
If they trade picks for a player and still fall short, at least they made an effort. If they move Higgins and later regret it, at least they took a proactive approach rather than standing still. The worst thing they can do is nothing.