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...
