The Cincinnati Bengals were aggressive in retooling their team this offseason. After the season ended, Cincinnati had a real chance to turn their franchise around as they had their highest draft selection since the 2021 NFL Draft, and they were among the top-10 teams in available cap space.
What ensued was not a typical Bengals offseason, as Cincinnati pulled off a blockbuster move. The team traded away its first-round pick in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. However, a new report has indicated that the team nearly acquired a different defensive lineman.
Cincinnati Bengals Explored Maxx Crosby Trade
Prior to free agency, the biggest name on the NFL’s trading block was Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Ultimately, the Raiders agreed to trade Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round picks; a deal the Ravens would later back out of citing a failed physical.
However, a new report by The Athletic’s Paul Dehner revealed Cincinnati’s interest in Crosby as he said, “The Bengals weren’t new to the idea of a big splash this offseason. They were in the mix of a Maxx Crosby trade before a pivot to sign Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook and Jonathan Allen in the first wave of free agency for a combined eight years and $126 million.”
Then, Cincinnati pivoted to Dexter Lawrence once he became available. Regarding how things turned out, Bengals Wire writer Chris Roling wrote:
“It might sound wild to some, but the Bengals are probably far happier with how things worked out. They instead got Lawrence, one of the NFL’s best nose tackles. His interior presence should, in theory, help and accelerate the development of names like linebacker Demetirus Knight, as well as edge rushers like Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart.”
Possibilities of a Future Trade
Once Crosby returned to the Raiders and spoke publicly about his desire to finish his career with the team, that appeared to end conversations between the Raiders and interested teams. Additionally, teams appear unlikely to part ways with 2027 draft capital, as that is viewed as a superior draft class than 2026 was.
Cincinnati will hope they do not have a premium asset in the 2027 NFL Draft as they appear poised to make another postseason push. However, ESPN’s Jordan Reid does not believe the team will make the playoffs as he predicted Cincinnati would have the No. 18 pick in next year’s draft, which the team would use on cornerback Kelley Jones. Reid wrote:
“An angular corner at 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Jones understands how to maximize his length to shield throwing windows. He’s a zone-based defender who is at his best playing on a vertical plane, with sufficient hips to close on underneath attempts. He’s a bit feast and famine — even though he allowed an FBS-low seven receptions last season, five went for 20 or more yards and two went for touchdowns. He’ll have to work on that, but he could be a good fit for a Bengals defense with starting cornerbacks (Dax Hill and DJ Turner II) who are scheduled to be free agents.”
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