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The Cincinnati Bengals need to revamp their defense in 2026 around a few key players.
Whether that includes some changes to Zac Taylor’s coaching staff, himself included, remains to be seen (and unlikely).
But one thing most Bengals fans understand already is simple enough: They won’t be in the conversations for acquiring star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders
Alas, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox put together a list of teams who should “rescue” Crosby from the flailing Raiders and listed the Bengals, who ship a second-round pick, 2027 first-round pick and Shemar Stewart to the Raiders in the proposed deal:
“Making a move for Crosby would accomplish two things for the Bengals. Obviously, it would help improve a defense that desperately needs an influx of talent. It would also signal to the fanbase and the players that Cincinnati is serious about building a winner.”
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By far what’s most interesting here is the idea that the Bengals need to show their fans they’re serious about building a winner. That’s fair and true.
The front office desperately needs aggressive moves this offseason. For the Bengals, that probably means a similar splash like the offseason that originally netted them Trey Hendrickson.
But this overall trade idea has a less than zero percent chance of happening. The Bengals wouldn’t throw in the towel on a first-round rookie like Shemar Stewart, even if the Raiders offered Crosby straight-up for him.
And speaking of Hendrickson, the Bengals need to decide whether to tag him for another season or extend him, provided his injury woes and age harm his free-agent market value.
Crosby is just 28 years old and technically under contract through 2029, for what it’s worth, but any deal is probably going to require a massive contract extension.
Right now, the Bengals’ outlook means suggesting they trade for a superstar safety (remember Jessie Bates? Sorry.) or linebacker would make more sense. They’re all-in on Stewart and finally getting some flashes from former first-rounder Myles Murphy, which might influence whether they pay up to keep Hendrickson, let alone look at trades.
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