The Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears just played each other in Week 2 of the preseason. They have the most recent tape on each other, and therefore the most updated evaluations of all players who suited up for the game.

They also each have someone the other side needs right now.

Cincinnati is still searching for its back up swing tackle. The Bears are still dealing with a key injury in its secondary, and needs depth at cornerback.

How about a player-for-player trade to solve both problems? In this mock trade, A to Z Sports Bengals beat writer John Sheeran has Cincy trading a backup CB to Chicago, and A to Z Sports Bears beat writer Kole Noble has the Windy City exchanging an OT on the roster bubble.

Bengals receive: OT Kiran Amagadjie
Bears receive: CB Josh Newton

Bengals acquire much needed swing tackle by trading away former starter

Sheeran: The Bengals are pretty much set at CB depth right now. DJ Ivey and third-round pick Tacario Davis are good to go as reserves on the boundary. Ja’Sir Taylor has the backup nickelback job in the slot secured as well. Newton, a fifth-round pick from 2024, is on the outside, looking in despite making an honest effort to get back into the picture late in training camp. Cincinnati has given Newton chances to start in the past, and he just can’t hold up for an extended period of time. Now that his opportunity as a depth piece has passed by as well, the chance to take a swing on a backup OT is too enticing to pass up.

As for the swing, it is just that. Amegadjie was also drafted in 2024 and his last appearance in the regular season was that year. The former third-round pick out of Yale have the classic billing of length, speed, and strength at the position. Those traits don’t always translate immediately, and it seems like the Bears are ready to move on from the experiment. I think bringing him to offensive line coach Scott Peters is a worthwhile bet as Peters continues to prove himself as a quality developer of pass-protectors. Perhaps Peters’ teachings with his “Strike System” is just what he needs while he’s still young.

“Kiran can play. He’s been injured and dealing with those issues, [but] the kid’s got game,” former five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Terron Armstead said last month. “He’s strong, he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s physical, he’s learning the right things, he’s hungry for an opportunity. And, although he’s doing all of these things right right now, it don’t guarantee him nothing and he understands that too.”

Bears land cornerback depth and offload former top-100 pick in the process

Noble: It’s frankly time for the Bears to move on from Amegadjie. Ben Johnson’s vision for this team is all about competition and Amegadjie had plenty of opportunities this offseason to compete for a roster spot. He couldn’t get it done at left tackle and the Bears have since moved him to right tackle to see if he could show anything there. He hasn’t been able to do that either and getting any kind of value for him in a trade would be better than inevitably cutting him. Ryan Poles might not like moving on from his former third-round pick, but Amegadjie hasn’t lived up to that status and he’s at the end of his rope. At this point, a change of scenery would be beneficial to both parties. Amegadjie has plenty of traits but needs a staff willing to spend the time to develop him.

Flipping Amegadjie for secondary depth would be a big plus for Chicago. The Bears have tried out several options throughout training camp and the preseason at cornerback, both on the outside and in the slot. Behind Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and rookie Malik Muhammad, no one has consistently stood out and the Bears aren’t relying on Kyler Gordon getting healthy again at this current point. Newton would be an upgrade as a depth option and would give Dennis Allen some inside/outside versatility to work with.

A classic win-win

There’s a reason why both players could be on the trade block right now. Their current teams are looking at other options, and may very well waive both of them this coming Sunday.

That doesn’t mean that neither one has value to another team. All it takes is the right staff and the right opportunity.

Trades come with a natural risk, and for the Bengals specifically, they won’t have a ton of quality options in their search for an OT3. Amegadjie carries unrealized upside, and for the cost of a corner who also hasn’t quite developed, it may be a cost worth incurring.

Newton still belongs in the league somewhere, and the Bears happen to fit with a need for depth. They would be able to cut the waiver line with this deal.

Winners and losers of a trade don’t materialize until far after the deal, but both sides can claim initial victory here.