The Cincinnati Bengals, despite being in Super Bowl contention, decided not to make any moves during the 2023 NFL trade deadline, which may come as no surprise given their reluctance to trade away draft picks for short-term rentals. Nevertheless, fans were hoping for a different approach this year, especially after the team’s recent strong performance. Let’s explore why the Bengals opted to stay inactive during the trade deadline.
Missed Opportunity to Gain an Advantage in the Division and Conference: The Bengals chose not to make any trades, and this decision was consistent with the rest of the AFC North. This presented an ideal opportunity for Cincinnati to make a bold and game-changing trade. Surprisingly, the Ravens, who have a history of making such moves, also stayed put, and the Steelers failed to seek offensive reinforcements. Even the Browns, who traded a player away, didn’t make any significant additions. This left fans wondering why the Bengals didn’t attempt to gain an upper hand in their division.
In the wider conference, the Bills and Jaguars took the initiative to improve their rosters before the trade deadline, solidifying their positions as playoff contenders. The Bengals, however, chose not to bolster their lineup and remained inactive.
Desperate Need for a Tight End: The acquisition of Irv Smith Jr. had high hopes, as he was expected to thrive with Joe Burrow as his quarterback. Unfortunately, Smith’s performance has been far from impressive, and a costly fumble in the Week 8 win against the 49ers only added to the disappointment. This blunder was the breaking point for both Bengals fans and the team’s tight end.
Cincinnati had the opportunity to enhance their offense by acquiring a more effective tight end before the trade deadline, but they decided against it. Fans were left without the prospect of reuniting with players like Hayden Hurst or C.J. Uzomah.
No trades for the Bengals this year as the NFL trade deadline is now closed
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) October 31, 2023
Uncertainty Surrounding the Backup Running Back Position: While the Bengals’ running game showed promise in the Week 8 victory over the 49ers, the backup running back position has been a source of concern throughout the season. Chase Brown’s placement on the injured reserve, limited playing time for Chris Evans, and Trayveon Williams’ underwhelming performance in limited carries left the team with significant question marks.
Re-signing Samaje Perine, who had previously excelled in the Bengals’ offensive system, would have been a welcomed move among fans. However, the front office chose not to address this issue, which can be seen as a missed opportunity.
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