It’s far more likely the Bengals may trade away another defensive player instead of Trey Hendrickson
Hendrickson trade talks have been rampant all year, but another player appears more likely to be traded.
The NFL trade deadline is under two weeks away, and the Cincinnati Bengals have arguably the most enticing trade piece around the league in defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
But it’s not Hendrickson whom the Bengals may be interested in trading away; not with Cincinnati hoping to make a playoff run.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports linebacker Logan Wilson, who was recently demoted to backup status, is a player other teams believe the Bengals could trade.
“The Bengals are going younger at linebacker, relegating Wilson to a reserve role in favor of rookie Barrett Carter despite Wilson’s status as a team captain. Teams I’ve talked to believe the Bengals are open to dealing Wilson, whose base salary is $5.4 million this season. Next year, Wilson has a base of $6 million.” – ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler
Why Logan Wilson is the Bengals’ most likely trade piece
Cincinnati is not in a position to liquidate its roster. Things nearly got to that point before a clutch Thursday night victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, but with Joe Flacco potentially reigniting his career after being traded from the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals are trying to win right now and hope Joe Burrow can return for a playoff run.
Hendrickson is major part of that plan as the defense’s best player. Wilson, on the other hand, is now more of an afterthought.
Wilson has slowly but surely taken a back seat in Al Golden’s new defense. He’s come off the bench in each of the last two games as rookie Barrett Carter now starts at MIKE linebacker with the green communications dot on his helmet. Both used to belong to Wilson just a few weeks ago.
As a player with ample starting experience and still on the younger side of 30, Wilson has value as a trade piece despite spending more time on the sidelines than the field at the moment. Another defense could use him to be who he was for the past few years in Cincinnati.
From the Bengals’ perspective, they would be giving away a player who, while is capable of starting, has been phased out of that role. Hendrickson is still very much needed for them to win. Their own actions tell the opposite about Wilson.
That’s the combination you look for in a potential trade, and of all the players on the roster that have it, Wilson should garner the most interest from potential suitors.
Cincinnati should be open to dealing away Wilson for a player who can contribute right now, or a draft pick to help offset what was given up to acquire Joe Flacco earlier this month. If not, then Golden will continue to have an expensive backup at his disposal.
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