The Cincinnati Bengals have one major issue plaguing their offseason. After seeing their defense trend upwards in 2022, they have struggled the past two seasons and have had one of the worst run defenses in the league in 2024. The franchise hasn’t done much in terms of improving its roster for a playoff push after two consecutive seasons of no postseason action for Joe Burrow.
As a result, one analyst believes a major shake-up is in order, and it involves a disgruntled star on the roster who Cincinnati has already given the green light to for a trade. In a massive three-team trade, the Bengals lean further into their offensive identity.
Despite Defensive Struggles, Could the Cincinnati Bengals Go Further In on Offense?
For the Bengals, the confusing summer began after they gave historic contract extensions to both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. After finishing as a top-10 offense on PFSN’s Offense+ metric and missing the playoffs, it seemed clear that Cincy’s focus had to be on defense. After all, in PFSN’s Defense+ metric, the Bengals were a bottom-five unit last season.
However, the situation went from bad to worse with the holdout on a contract extension for Trey Hendrickson. The league leader in sacks last season and the lone bright spot on the Bengals’ defense, not keeping him around was a baffling decision.
Nearly six months into the offseason, no move has been made on Hendrickson’s end, either in terms of an extension or a potential trade for the star edge rusher. Now, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report has come up with a solution that fits Cincinnati’s supposed game plan.
In a list of hypothetical blockbuster three-team trades, Sobleski took the Bengals’ reliance one step further by exchanging Hendrickson with a young tight end. Sending him to the Indianapolis Colts, they would get back Kyle Pitts in return from the Atlanta Falcons, who would walk away with DeForest Buckner in this entire exchange.
Explaining his choice, he reiterated the four-time Pro Bowler’s desire to be paid on the level of Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett. As a result, he believes a trade is the only option, especially with Chase, Higgins, and Burrow already paid handsomely.
“The Indianapolis Colts need to make a call if that’s the case. His emergence as an elite pass-rusher came under the supervision of coordinator Lou Anarumo, who is now on staff with the Colts. The first-team All-Pro’s presence will allow Indy to reshape its defense.”
Pairing him with a young core, including the likes of Laiatu Latu and J.T. Tuimoloau, could improve them in the short and long term. And, with the injury concerns of Bucker, he could be a trade piece that is more valuable to a desperate team like the Falcons.
“The nine-year veteran can serve as the anchor to a group that will now feature first-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. flying off the edges. Buckner’s ability to defend the run and collapse the pocket should be highly beneficial for those rookies.”
For the Bengals, it has to be a clear hope that Pitts can live up to his hype. After an electric rookie campaign where he broke Julio Jones’ franchise rookie receiving yards record and tallied 1,026 yards, his next three years have been a disappointment.
With this catch, Kyle Pitts has broken Julio Jones’ franchise record for MOST receiving yards by a rookie.
📺: FOX | @kylepitts__ pic.twitter.com/nFCKVXxAIL
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 2, 2022
Still, “Cincinnati is unlikely to get a player in return with as much or more upside.” And there is a chance that a team featuring Chase and Higgins could allow Pitts to operate more freely and improve him into his former fourth-overall potential.
“If he works out, he can replace Mike Gesicki, who turns 30 later this year.” With a Hendrickson deal unlikely or even outright impossible, a trade feels inevitable. In that scenario, the Bengals might not be able to do much better than this.