When it comes to investigative journalism in the NFL, the buck stops at Mike Florio. The insider seems to know everything that is said within all 32 organizations and this afternoon he confirmed what we all knew. The Cincinnati Bengals are quarterback buyers after two back-to-back blowout losses.
Last week, there was stray chatter of Wilson to the Bengals for a fifth-round pick. And while a deal for Wilson or Winston is possible, the current dynamic could be that neither side wants to make the first move,” Florio writes.
“In a high-tech world, it’s the lowest of low-tech negotiation tactics. Don’t make the first move.”
Wilson is the clear option when it comes to available quarterback candidates. He has proven once that he can at least still play in this league, with a 450 yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2. He is also only a ten million dollar quarterback, which is about as cheap as they come in this league.
However much sense it makes, Florio says the Bengals can’t afford to wait much longer.
“The general thinking is that whoever picks up the phone first surrenders leverage,” Florio continues. Whatever the Giants would have wanted a week ago for either player, they’ll be inclined to want more from the Bengals if Cincinnati were to call today, given last night’s outcome. Whatever the Bengals would have offered a week ago, they’ll be inclined to nudge it lower, given that Dart’s performance highlights the fact that the Giants don’t need both veterans.
It’s All About Ja’Marr Chase And Tee Higgins
It doesn’t take a genius to tell you that the Bengals offense is dependent on the success of the two hundred-million-dollar men on the outside. Since taking over at quarterback, Jake Browning has not been able to get them the ball.
Ja’Marr Chase has 73 yards combined in the last two losses (in which the Bengals were outscored 76-13). Tee Higgins has even less, totaling just 47 yards in two weeks.
Yes the offensive line has been atrocious and the run game has been bad, but Wilson still represents an option that can get their playmakers the ball.
“Both Wilson and Winston have the arm strength to deliver the ball down the field to Chase and Higgins. Given Chase’s obvious frustrations from Monday night, he quite possibly would welcome a potential upgrade, given Burrow’s indefinite absence,” Florio concludes. “Again, it’s not about Browning. It’s about whether Cincinnati is better off with a backup, or whether they’d be in better position to win games with a former starter. And a pair of them remain available.”
What Can The Bengals Afford To Give Up
First of all, I believe this needs to be seen as a two step plan. Firstly, you go out and get a quarterback. If that quarterback delivers moderate success, you tough it ouyt until Joe Burrow returns. If that quarterback tanks, enable option two. Sell Trey Hendrickson.
This means that you can be more liberal with what you give up for this quarterback, knowing that your sacrifice will be rewarded with either wins or picks down the road.
Currently, the Bengals control all seven of their draft picks in 2026 and 2027. This means they can likely afford to give up a fourth or fifth in either draft to land a quarterback that makes them competitive again.
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