Cincinnati Bengals: Small steps towards the NFL trade deadline

Mark Twain, one of the greatest minds in American history, once said, “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Cincinnati because it is always twenty years behind the times.”

That's true in many ways, and the spirit of the city has seeped into the fabric of the team's front office.

However, the Cincinnati Bengals gained a little on Tuesday.

Are they still behind on building and maintaining a championship roster? Yes, but they are making progress – even if it is just one small step at a time.

The Bengals made a trade before the deadline. They sent a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for running back Khalil Herbert. The addition was necessary. The Bengals lost Zack Moss for the season and Herbert was gathering dust in Chicago. The two are very similar and both are capable pass blockers. It also saves the Bengals offense from putting too many miles on Chase Brown, which could lead to further injuries.

It wasn't enough.

The Bengals really needed to step up their defense. The offense wasn't the problem that led to the Bengals' 4-5 record. The defense's inability to stop any talented offense has resulted in losses that should have been victories. Teams don't often score 30 or more points and lose.

The Bengals could have sent draft picks for a cornerback to replace Dax Hill and bolster the secondary. They could have tackled an edge rusher to compliment Trey Hendrickson.

They obviously believe that the guys who are going to step up are already in the locker room. Myles Murphy, last year's first-round pick, has an opportunity to prove he was worth it. People like DJ Ivey and Josh Newton will be relied upon more heavily than Lou Anarumo would probably like.

Still, they did something.

The Ring of Honor, the ruler of the jungle, the massive fan engagement, and the new uniforms were all aesthetically pleasing changes to the franchise. Combined with the duo of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, both of whom were traded away to the Bengals due to two poor seasons, the team has suddenly become nationally “cool.”

So far, all of these changes have been like painting an old, rusty car – it's prettier now, but it still doesn't run right.

However, perhaps this small trade is indicative of a larger trend. Maybe this is your toe in the water before you take the plunge. If the trade works out and Herbert is in some way able to help the Bengals turn around what has been a hugely disappointing season so far, perhaps the team's front office will realize that something good can come from the moves. Perhaps this is just the first apple on a tree to ripen and bear fruit.

Perhaps.

Hopefully.

At least in my opinion, they didn't do “enough” for the 2024 season before the trade deadline, but I hope they opened Pandora's Box. Only time will tell.

The Bengals have shown that they are not content to just let things go. They have taken a step, however small, to prepare for the challenges of a trying season. Whether these minor steps signal a more substantial change in the future remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Bengals fans can only hope and be happy that the team has finally moved into the 21st century – 20 years late.

Who Dey!