Cincinnati Bengals News & Rumors

Bills Showed Interest In Logan Wilson, CBs

With questions at wide receiver and at multiple levels of their defense, expectations were that the 6-2 Bills would make at least one move ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. A report shortly before the deadline linked Commanders receiver Deebo Samuel and pass rusher Von Miller (an ex-Bill) to Buffalo, but nothing materialized for general manager Brandon Beane.

When discussing his unproductive deadline on Wednesday, Beane told reporters (including Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle): “Believe me, I went home as mad as any other fan. I wanted to do things. I’m always wanting to do things to make this team better. It’s not a store where you can just go in and say, ‘Hey, I’ll pay $20 and take this player.’ It takes two to be able to do it. We’re competitive, we’re always trying, not just on the trade deadline. We’re always looking.”

Beane added that the Bills, who rank toward the bottom of the NFL in cap space, couldn’t “take a $15 million contract (in a trade) with where we’re at with the cap.” With a lack of spending room, Beane admitted he couldn’t go “fishing in the deep end of the pond, so to speak.” 

Despite a suboptimal cap situation, Beane expressed interest in linebacker Logan Wilson and unnamed cornerbacks leading up to the deadline, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.

A Wilson trade would have reunited him with Bills quarterback Josh Allen, a former Wyoming teammate, but the Bengals ended up trading him to the Cowboys for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Dallas, which had far more cap space than Buffalo entering the deadline, agreed to take on Wilson’s remaining salary of $2.68MM for this season. The Bills may not have been in position to do that.

With Wilson in Dallas, Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Shaq Thompson, and Dorian Williams will remain Buffalo’s top linebacker options for the rest of the season. The team will also continue with the same group of corners after it didn’t bring in anyone new on deadline day.

Rookie first-round pick Maxwell Hairston, who missed the Bills’ first six games with a knee injury, has provided a boost to Buffalo’s secondary since he debuted in Week 8. The 22-year-old speedster hauled in his first career interception in a win over the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs last Sunday. Hairston, who has shared playing time with Tre’Davious White, will continue to handle a key role opposite No. 1 cornerback Christian Benford. Nickel corner Taron Johnson, Cameron Lewis, and Ja’Marcus Ingram comprise the rest of the Bills’ options on the active roster.

While Beane isn’t thrilled with the way the deadline played out for the Bills, most of the AFC’s other top contenders also had quiet days. The 7-2 Colts pulling in Gardner and the 5-3 Jaguars acquiring receiver Jakobi Meyers (a rumored Bills target) were the only needle-moving pickups in the conference on Tuesday. The 7-2 Patriots, who lead the Bills in the AFC East, didn’t make any additions. Neither did the Broncos, Chiefs, or Texans. The Chargers swung a deal for Trevor Penning to help a depleted offensive line, while the Steelers (safety Kyle Dugger) and Ravens (OLB Dre’Mont Jones) made their moves before deadline day.

Cowboys Notes: Wilson, Overshown, Revel

After the Bengals reduced his playing time, linebacker Logan Wilson requested a trade out of Cincinnati in late October. The Bengals granted his wish a few hours before the deadline on Tuesday, sending him to the Cowboys for a 2026 seventh-round pick. The Bengals received other offers for Wilson, but they liked the Cowboys’ the best, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Considering the meager return the Bengals accepted for Wilson, it’s fair to say other teams weren’t beating down the door for the 29-year-old. The Colts, Bills, and 49ers were mentioned as speculative fits for Wilson a couple of weeks ago, though it’s unclear if any of those teams joined the Cowboys in making an offer.

A third-round pick from Wyoming in 2020, Wilson became a full-time starter in his second season. In the midst of a stretch in which he piled up 100-plus tackles four seasons in a row, Wilson signed a four-year, $37.25MM extension in August 2023.

The Cowboys didn’t request any adjustments to Wilson’s deal, which runs through 2027, and they were willing to take on his remaining $2.68MM base salary for this year. That may have helped tip the scales in their favor.

Wilson started in seven of eight appearances with the Bengals this year and totaled 40 tackles, but rookies Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight have taken over as their primary linebackers. The Bengals’ defense checks in at last in the NFL, while the Cowboys own the league’s second-worst unit.

The 3-5-1 Cowboys will hope the acquisitions of Wilson and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, picked up in a pre-deadline blockbuster with the Jets, help turn the tide. Dallas also has a couple of in-house reinforcements set to make their 2025 debuts. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Tuesday that the team plans to play linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and cornerback Shavon Revel after it comes off its bye this week (via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News).

Overshown, who missed his rookie year in 2023 with a torn ACL, returned last season to post 90 tackles, five sacks, four passes defensed, and an interception in 13 games. However, Overshown suffered yet another serious knee injury – a torn ACL, MCL, and PCL – in Week 14. Overshown opened the 2025 campaign on IR and returned to practice on Oct. 20. The Cowboys also designated Revel to return that day. The third-round rookie from East Carolina tore his ACL last year, forcing him to begin his NFL career on the non-football injury list.

Along with Overshown and Revel, the Cowboys hope to welcome back injured starting safeties Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson in Week 11, according to Schottenheimer (via Tommy Yarrish of the team’s website). Hooker landed on IR with a toe injury after Week 4. Wilson, who leads the Cowboys with two interceptions, missed their previous two games with an elbow injury.

2025 NFL Trades

The modern NFL features four clear trade windows. While the Cowboys and Steelers’ George Pickens swap showed moves can be made at other points on the NFL calendar, early March, the draft, the late-August 53-man roster-setting date and the November deadline reside as the primary points trades occur around the league. On that note, it is a good time to check in on what has transpired on the trade market ahead of today’s deadline.

Excluding pick-for-pick trades, here are the moves NFL teams have made thus far in 2025:

March 1

49ers chose running back Jordan James at 147

March 4

Rams traded pick to Vikings, moving up to No. 172 for linebacker Chris Paul Jr.

March 5

March 6

March 7

Seahawks chose quarterback Jalen Milroe at 92

March 9

Seahawks used No. 52 to trade up (via the Titans) 17 spots for safety Nick Emmanwori, drafted running back Damien Martinez at 223; Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard at 185

March 10

Texans added wide receiver Jaylin Noel at 79, sent 236 to Jaguars in Day 2 trade; Commanders chose wideout Jaylin Lane at No. 128 

Eagles used No. 164 to climb one spot (via Chiefs) in first round for linebacker Jihaad Campbell

March 11

March 12

Bills took Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock at 170; Cowboys chose guard Ajani Cornelius at No. 204

Titans drafted running back Kalel Mullings at No. 188; Cowboys chose running back Phil Mafah at 239

March 13

March 15

Vikings packaged No. 187 in trade-down move (via Texans); 49ers drafted safety Marques Sigle at 160

April 3

Patriots traded down from No. 171 (via Lions) to draft kicker Andres Borregales; Cowboys chose defensive tackle Jay Toia at 217

April 26

Seahawks selected defensive lineman Rylie Mills at No. 142; Vikings traded No. 172 to Rams

May 7

June 2

Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder if performance-based conditions are met

June 30

July 1

August 4

August 17

August 20

August 22

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

August 28

September 8

2026 fifth-round pick (from Bryce Huff trade) could upgrade to fourth-rounder, which would be sent to Jacksonville if 49ers DE meets those conditions

September 14

September 23

September 29

October 7

October 8

October 27

October 28

October 29

November 1

November 3

November 4

Higher of Cowboys’ two 2027 firsts will go to Jets in Williams trade

Cowboys Acquire LB Logan Wilson From Bengals

Jerry Jones stated on Monday one trade was in place with more deals being worked on. Dallas has in fact finalized at least one swap ahead of the deadline.

Linebacker Logan Wilson is being dealt from the Bengals to the Cowboys, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Wilson’s trade request has thus been honored, and this swap should allow him to return to full-time playing duties. Cincinnati is receiving a 2026 seventh-round pick, Rapoport adds. The deal is now official.

Today’s news comes as little surprise on a number of levels. Dallas was among the teams known to have shown interest in Wilson, whose entire career has taken place with the Bengals. Each season from 2021-24, the 29-year-old reached or surpassed 100 tackles while operating as a full-time starter. This year, however, Wilson has seen a sharp reduction in playing time. That made him one of the members of Cincinnati’s beleaguered defense to request a change of scenery.

Wilson inked a $9MM-per-year extension in 2023, and his contract runs through 2027 with no major spikes in cap hit scheduled for future years. No contract adjustments were made as part of this agreement, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. As a result, Dallas – a team which entered Tuesday with over $30MM in cap space and was not only looking into rentals – will take on the remaining $2.68MM in Wilson’s compensation for this year. This move clears that figure from the Bengals’ books in 2025, although the team will have a $4MM dead cap charge next season.

Last night’s loss dropped the Cowboys to 3-5-1 on the year. Defense has been an issue throughout the campaign, and making an addition anywhere on that side of the ball should produce at least an incremental improvement. Jones’ remarks from Monday indicated the acquired player in the then-mystery swap would see the field immediately. That means Wilson will add to his 65 career starts once his Cowboys tenure begins. Dallas will also receive notable reinforcements at the second level when DeMarvion Overshown is activated.

Cincinnati’s Joe Flacco acquisition has stabilized the quarterback spot as hoped. As Joe Burrow continues to recover, though, the team’s poor showings on defense have led to questions about the realistic chances of a playoff berth. The Bengals are 3-6 heading into their bye. No staffing changes will take place, but attention will turn to the possibility of this move being followed by others on the trade front today.

With Wilson no longer in the fold, Cincinnati’s linebacking corps will lean increasingly on a group featuring rookies Demetrius Knight and Barrett CarterThose two have not fared well early in their careers, but their ability to develop over time will be key in bringing about needed improvements on defense. Wilson, meanwhile, will look to establish himself as a consistent playmaker with his new team while the Cowboys continue to explore other additions.

Bengals Still Eyeing First-Round Pick For Trey Hendrickson

Two previous waves of Trey Hendrickson trade rumors emerged this year. The Bengals let the All-Pro defensive end seek a trade in March, but they set a high asking price. With no traction on an extension in August, trade buzz resurfaced. Again, Cincinnati did not budge far from its asking price — and the parties regrouped on a 2025 raise.

The Bengals are now 3-6, and their defense has not improved from a rough 2024 season. The team is now the first since the 1970 merger to score a combined 80 points in a two-game span and lose both contests. The second of those setbacks, though, came without Hendrickson in the lineup. But the Bengals are now close to falling out of contention. With Hendrickson not tied to the team beyond 2025, clubs are naturally interested in seeing (again) what it will take to pry the sack ace from Cincinnati.

[RELATED: Lessons From Recent NFL Trade Deadlines]

Even though we are halfway through the season and Hendrickson is a rental chip, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicates the Bengals are still informing teams it will take a first-round pick to add Hendrickson. Several teams — including the 49ers, Cowboys and Colts — have inquired, and it appears the Bengals will keep listening. The Eagles also asked on Hendrickson but moved to Jaelan Phillips.

That is a high cost for a rental chip — one that may scuttle any deal — even after Phillips brought back a third. Like Montez Sweat (who fetched the Commanders a second-round pick in 2023, Phillips is on a rookie contract and is in his mid-20s. Hendrickson will turn 31 before season’s end. Bradley Chubb fetched a first-rounder in a 2022 rental trade, and the Bengals are probably eyeing that as a comp. Chubb, though, was 26 when that Broncos-Dolphins trade unfolded. Miami extended Chubb soon after. Hendrickson has been seeking an extension for years, but the Bengals have been reluctant to include guaranteed money beyond Year 1 — a franchise sticking point that has caused drama in this relationship.

In March, it was believed the Bengals were asking for a first-rounder and more for Hendrickson. Teams viewed that as too steep. In August, it was believed Cincy had lowered its asking price. Though, nothing happened. The Bengals had even rejected a trade offer including a second-rounder and change before the draft. The sides then huddled up on a raise, which effectively tabled negotiations until 2026 — when a pricey franchise tag could be in play.

While tagging Hendrickson at $30MM-plus might be a long shot at his age, the Bengals used a tag on A.J. Green when he was 31. Dealing Hendrickson now would end the sides’ five-year partnership and give another team exclusive negotiating rights ahead of free agency. The Bengals, who were believed more likely to retain Hendrickson than dangle him in deals once again, are clearly still planning to place a high price on the decorated EDGE to pass on a potential tag and re-up talks.

A first-rounder will still be too steep, in all likelihood, for interested teams — especially now that Hendrickson has missed two of the past three games with a hip injury. It will be interesting to see if more comes from this, as a price drop could reignite this market. Hendrickson is not the only Bengal drawing interest, per Russini, and Outkick.com’s Armando Salguero adds the view inside the team’s building appears to be shifting toward listening to trade offers — including a potential Hendrickson swap. This echoes a recent report about increased flexibility on the Hendrickson front.

Hendrickson has four sacks this season and posted an NFL-high 35 between the 2023 and ’24 slates, but unless the Bengals reduce their asking price again, he will almost definitely finish a fifth season in western Ohio.

Bengals Not Making Defensive Staff Changes

Week 9 marked another illustration of the Bengals’ inability to produce a stop on defense. A late 15-point Cincinnati outburst aided by a successful onside kick recovery was followed by a Bears touchdown in the closing seconds of Sunday’s game.

That contest was not dissimilar to Week 8’s high-scoring defeat against the Jets. Those losses have dropped Cincinnati to 3-6 on the year. Even if Joe Burrow manages to return relatively soon, playoff contention will be increasingly unlikely down the stretch. Nevertheless, the team’s bye week will not include changes to the defensive coaching staff.

[RELATED: Bengals Still Asking For First-Round Pick In Trey Hendrickson Trade]

“No,” head coach Zac Taylor said (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer) when asked if defensive coordinator Al Golden‘s position is in jeopardy. “I believe in these guys. Absolutely. We’ll continue to work through it and find solutions.”

During each of Taylor’s first six years at the helm of the Bengals, Lou Anarumo operated as the team’s DC. The latter’s unit finished outside the top 20 in points allowed in 2023 and again last season, so it did not entirely come as a surprise when he was dismissed. Anarumo quickly lined up a new gig at the helm of the Colts’ defense after being fired. Indianapolis currently ranks seventh in points allowed.

Golden and the Bengals, meanwhile, have surrendered the most points and yards in the league on a per-game basis. The team is currently on pace to allow 567 points in 2025, which would be an all-time single-season record. Golden and the coaches are not entirely at fault, of course, and they will continue in their current roles when Cincinnati returns to action.

Many of the team’s recent draft investments on the defensive side of the ball have not developed as hoped. With much of the Bengals’ financial commitments coming on offense, their current issues have certainly not caught anyone off guard. Taylor did add that “nothing is off the table” in terms of personnel or scheme adjustments over the coming days. While moves along those lines – not to mention potential trades – will be worth watching for, Golden and Co. are safe for now.

AFC North Rumors: Hendrickson, Njoku, Browns, Ravens

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic recently reported the Bengals would keep DE Trey Hendrickson through Tuesday’s trade deadline, even if they drop their Week 9 matchup with the Bears to fall to 3-6. ESPN’s Adam Schefter offers some pushback on that front.

Notwithstanding Dehner’s report and similar ones that preceded it, Schefter’s sources say a loss to Chicago could indeed change Cincinnati’s calculus. The Bengals will still see themselves as championship contenders in 2026, and trading Hendrickson will deprive them of exclusive negotiating rights with their top defensive player this offseason. 

But negotiations between player and team over the past several years have become contentious and have not yielded a new long-term contract, and a franchise tag will surely not sit well with the four-time Pro Bowler. As such, it would not be surprising if the teams that have already attempted to pry Hendrickson from Cincinnati keep trying to do so, and those efforts may well intensify if the Bengals lose the Chicago contest. 

Now for more AFC North trade rumors:

  • TE David Njoku has been mentioned as a trade candidate, and while the Browns want to keep as many talented pass catchers as possible in the fold in order to properly evaluate their young signal-callers, SI.com’s Albert Breer believes the right offer could convince them to pull the trigger on Njoku (Breer says Cleveland would also want Njoku to sign off on such a deal). In the same report cited above, Schefter says the Browns are not only disinclined to move Njoku, but that they could actually be aggressive deadline buyers.
  • Despite sitting at 3-5, the Ravens are the betting favorites to win the AFC North, so they could look to strengthen their roster at the deadline rather than sell off players on expiring deals. Cornerback had already been identified as an area of need, and Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) recently reiterated that point. The Athletic colleague Dan Duggan names the GiantsDeonte Banks – a Baltimore native who has seen a dramatic reduction in playing time this year – as a possible target (though Duggan suggests a Banks trade may be more likely in the offseason).
  • Although they are in the market for a CB addition, the Ravens have jettisoned Jaire Alexander to the Eagles in exchange for a minimal return, which is reflective of Alexander’s brief and disappointing Baltimore tenure.
  • A club that has been among the most aggressive in seeking a wide receiver, a recent report confirmed the Steelers are still on the lookout for WR help. They have inquired about Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers, who is arguably the top trade candidate at the position.

NFC Trade Notes: Mafe, Woolen, Shaheed, Cowboys, Packers, Buccaneers, Lions

As one of three NFC West teams sporting a five-win record, the Seahawks do not fit the profile of a seller at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, a pair of notable defenders continue to be mentioned in trade talk.

Cornerback Tariq Woolen remains a name to watch ahead of the November 4 deadline. The most recent update on his status indicated he could remain in Seattle. Things could change in short order, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Seattle prefers to keep Woolen in place through the remainder of the season.

The former Pro Bowler has struggled this season and his rookie contract is set to expire at the end of the campaign. The same is also true of edge rusher Boye Mafe, who could very well depart in free agency this spring. As such, the 26-year-old is worth monitoring on the trade front. Schefter adds, though, that the Seahawks would also prefer to keep him.

Here are some other trade notes from around the NFC:

  • In terms of receivers, one of the top candidates to move shortly is Rashid Shaheed. The Saints have been connected to an asking price of a Day 2 pick for the pending free agent. In particular, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football passes along New Orleans asked an AFC suitor for a third-round selection. Shaheed would provide a notable vertical addition to any acquiring team, but a price that high would be a surprise for a rental. It will be interesting to see if the Saints lower their asking price in the coming days.
  • Logan Wilson‘s trade request is still in effect, and he is among the defenders worth monitoring on the Bengals. A number of teams have made calls recently, and Schefter reports the Cowboys are among them. Dallas could stand to use one (or more) defensive additions given the team’s play on that side of the ball, and the team is not only in the market for rentals. Wilson – who has 65 starts to his name – is under contract through 2027.
  • The Packers faced questions about their secondary entering the campaign, but the team sits 15th against the pass so far. Green Bay is among the teams looking into corners on the trade market, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required). Tyson Campbell, Roger McCreary, Michael Carter II and (most recently) Jaire Alexander have already been dealt ahead of the deadline. Other corners could be on the move, however, and with nearly $12MM in cap space the Packers can afford a rental addition.
  • Sitting atop the NFC South, the Buccaneers could look to add. It would nonetheless come as a surprise if a notable acquisition were to be made. Greg Auman of Fox Sports predicts Tampa Bay will (if anything) only be in the market for a depth addition in the rental market. Adding at the linebacker spot or along the edge would be feasible, per Auman, but a major move should not be expected.
  • Another team not viewed as a serious buyer is the Lions. Defensive depth could still be targeted, though, and Russini writes safety and defensive line are among the positions being explored. Detroit is also among the teams which have called the Bengals about their defensive trade candidates (including Wilson but also cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt). With over $22MM in cap space, the Lions could afford a rental with ease.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/1/25

Here are today’s minor moves and practice squad callups for the ninth weekend of the NFL season:

Atlanta Falcons

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Steelers are getting Harrison back at a crucial time. Fellow linebacker Cole Holcomb has been ruled out this weekend with an illness — as has safety Chuck Clark, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network — and Harrison should be able to reinforce the group. He has plenty of experience playing next to starter Patrick Queen from their time together in Baltimore, so perhaps he’ll be able to step in and contribute right away.

The Chargers continue to see their running backs room plagued with injury. Haskins joins Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris on injured reserve. Johnson and Patterson will suit up tomorrow to provide some depth behind lone survivor Kimani Vidal.

With Terry McLaurin once again set to miss time, Burks, the newly signed p-squad addition, will make his Washington debut. Also a newly signed p-squad addition, Lewis will make his Denver debut this weekend. If he sees game time, 2025 will officially be Lewis’ 20th season in the NFL.

After missing the last three games, Gross-Matos appeared to be close to returning to play. According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports, the 27-year-old re-injured his hamstring at practice on Thursday and will now miss another four games.

For Leota in New Orleans, Mosby in Green Bay, Sermon in Pittsburgh, Zakelj in San Francisco, and both Proche and Watkins in Tennessee, this Sunday will be their third and final standard gameday practice squad elevation on their current deals. In order to appear in any more games after this, their respective teams will need to sign them to the active roster.