The Cincinnati Bengals appear unlikely to make significant moves at the upcoming NFL trade deadline as they hold onto the hope that quarterback Joe Burrow will return this season. The recent victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, largely spearheaded by Joe Flacco, keeps the Bengals competitive in the tightly contested AFC North.
However, speculation persists around linebacker Logan Wilson, particularly after he was benched for a game, leading some analysts to suggest his potential availability for trade. ESPN analysts Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler have placed Wilson at 11th on their list of 25 players who could be on the move before the deadline. They describe Wilson as a capable three-down defender known for his pass coverage and tackling ability, highlighting his statistics of 11 interceptions and 11 pass breakups throughout his career, along with an average of seven tackles per game over more than five seasons.
Wilson’s recent benching came as coach Al Golden initiated a youth movement in the linebacker position, giving more playing time to younger players like Demetrius Knight and Barret Carter. Wilson saw his snap count reduce significantly, participating in only 12 plays during Week 6 and increasing to 26 snaps (45 percent of defensive plays) in Week 7.
While Wilson’s talents could benefit multiple teams looking to bolster their defenses, the question remains whether any franchise would be willing to trade for him and accommodate his expected base salary of $6 million for the next year. The Bengals may opt to retain Wilson, particularly as they anticipate broader defensive changes in the offseason.
The situation develops against the backdrop of increasing scrutiny and speculation around the Bengals’ roster decisions, as they seek to navigate the remainder of the season strategically while waiting for their star quarterback’s return.