Football Frustration

The Cincinnati Bengals are beyond a shadow of a doubt the most frustrating team to be a fan of in the Queen City. The team is often regarded as stale, stubborn, and behind the times. Last Tuesday showcased that sentiment in spades.

With the NFL trade deadline approaching at 4PM on 10/29, the only news to break from the Bengals front office was that quarterback Andy Dalton would be benched after the bye week in favor of starting rookie Ryan Finley who was taken in the fourth round of the draft. I support the move. Dalton is essentially a lame duck quarterback at this point and the Bengals need to see what they have in Finley before the 2020 NFL draft. Unfortunately, that was the only move the Bengals made.

Reports were swirling that other teams had reached out to the Bengals regarding Carlos Dunlap, Geno Atkins, Dre Kirkpatrick, Tyler Eifert, and A.J. Green. Some serious draft picks could've been acquired in exchange for any of the guys listed and yet the Bengals did not pull the trigger on a single trade. Green alone could have garnered a first round pick and considering how he can walk away at the end of the season, it is baffling that this team did not move him as there is no guarantee he will sign another Bengals contract.

Coach Zac Taylor was heard multiple times throughout the week leading up to the trade deadline that they want to evaluate the current roster. I really hope somebody was telling him to say that, as bad as that sounds. When your team is 0-8, what is there to evaluate? The Bengals suck this season. That is your evaluation. Expecting something different with the same aging cast of characters next season? That's insanity. What's more insane than that? Being a Bengals fan.

Despite all the frustration the Bengals give me every week and the absolute incompetence demonstrated by the ownership and front office, I am still a fan. For some stupid reason, I am still invested in this franchise and want to see them succeed. That is why it is beyond infuriating to watch this franchise do nothing at the trade deadline. Instead of trading away players to gather draft picks that can help rebuild the franchise, the Bengals stayed stagnant and appear consent with the way things are.

Obviously, the fans are not content. The city of Cincinnati is not content. There needs to be a big change or shakeup within the Bengals organization. Something that would revitalize the fanbase and take this team to the next level is desperately needed. Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. As for now, expect more of the same old, incompetent Bengals.

Who Dey...