The Cincinnati Bengals have gotten as close as any franchise in the NFL the last few years to tasting a championship without winning one. In Super Bowl LVI, they lost to the Los Angeles Rams, and this past year, they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
Cincinnati is right on the cusp of becoming a champion. This offseason could be one of their last to take on some salary as things are about to get very expensive when it comes to their roster.
Tee Higgins is entering the final year of his rookie deal, while a decision has to be made on Joe Burrow’s fifth-year option. It will be a swift yes but a monster extension is on the horizon for him. Shortly after that, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will also be up for an extension.
Knowing that, the Bengals were aggressive in upgrading arguably their biggest weakness; the offensive line. Orlando Brown Jr. was signed away from the Chiefs to play left tackle and Cody Ford is much-needed depth. Ford could factor into the starting right tackle competition depending on what happens with Jonah Williams.
The next order of business for the Bengals could be upgrading their backfield. Samaje Perine departed in free agency, signing a deal with the Denver Broncos. That leaves only Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans as backups to Joe Mixon.
Adding some life to the backfield is important for the Bengals. Having a capable running game will take some pressure off of Burrow and the passing game. One player that could pique their interest is Clyde Edwards-Helaire of the Chiefs.
The No. 32 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft has likely played his final snap with Kansas City. He was surpassed on the depth chart last season by seventh-round rookie Isiah Pacheco and veteran Jerrick McKinnon. His decision to skip the Super Bowl parade to walk the runway at New York Fashion Week likely sealed his fate.
What could a trade between the Bengals and the Chiefs look like? Cincinnati can offer a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and see if Kansas City bites. With rumors swirling that the Chiefs plan to decline his fifth-year option, they likely won’t receive offers with anything more than a late Day 3 pick.
For the Chiefs, that is better than nothing. They would clear a roster spot and save some salary which can be used to shore things up elsewhere. Injuries have derailed him throughout his career, so moving on is best for them at this point.
For the Bengals, Edwards-Helaire offers some upside as a backup to Mixon who can step into the starting lineup. He was lauded for his pass-catching skills coming out of LSU, something Cincinnati could use to help lessen the workload on Mixon. If Edwards-Helaire can remain healthy, he would provide the Bengals with a nice change-of-pace back and upgrade on Perine.
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