It’s a logical move.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been on a three-game winning streak and are starting to resemble the team we anticipated. After their most complete performance of the season, they’ve once again established themselves as a legitimate threat in the AFC.
Should they consider bolstering their roster by making acquisitions at the trade deadline? While their history suggests they won’t, recent offseasons have seen the front office deviate from their established patterns, making it a possibility.
Could they be thinking about reuniting with an old acquaintance? The New York Jets have reportedly expressed their willingness to trade defensive end Carl Lawson.
Lawson, who originally started his career in Cincinnati, departed for New York after the 2020 season, which led to the Bengals bringing in Trey Hendrickson.
Despite the solid seasons by Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, the Bengals’ pass rush could benefit from additional support. Joseph Ossai hasn’t made a significant impact yet, and first-round pick Myles Murphy is still developing, so the team might consider adding a seasoned player who can provide immediate help.
If Hendrickson and/or Hubbard continue at their current pace, they might become fatigued and more susceptible to injuries. We witnessed Hendrickson briefly leave a recent game with an ankle injury. If either Hendrickson or Hubbard were to miss time, the defensive end position could become a significant concern for a Bengals team that clearly has Super Bowl potential.
Lawson is currently on a one-year, $9,000,000 contract with $8,000,000 guaranteed, but most of that has already been paid out. Sports Illustrated writer Corbin K. Smith reports that Lawson’s cap hit for a team trading for him would be just under $600k, making it a relatively cap-friendly deal that the Bengals could absorb without worrying about long-term implications.
While Lawson’s performance in 2023 has been subpar, he concluded the previous season with seven sacks and 26 quarterback pressures. Although he wouldn’t necessarily be a starter upon returning to Cincinnati, he could become part of the rotation and make contributions when Hubbard or Hendrickson need a break.
His departure from Cincinnati didn’t involve any significant conflicts, so it’s likely that there’s no ill will lingering.
Leave a Reply