Bengals may have to execute a trade amid roster cuts in order to reunite with a familiar face
If the Cincinnati Bengals were to add a running back after the roster cutdown deadline, reuniting with Samaje Perine is still the safest bet. But it may not be as simple as signing him off the market. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports that while the Denver Broncos "are expected to move on" from Perine, his […]
If the Cincinnati Bengals were to add a running back after the roster cutdown deadline, reuniting with Samaje Perine is still the safest bet. But it may not be as simple as signing him off the market.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports that while the Denver Broncos "are expected to move on" from Perine, his current team is also listening to trade offers for him.
Perine, who signed a two-year deal with the Broncos last season, spent the previous four years with the Bengals. He rushed for 941 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and six touchdowns as the offense's No. 2 back behind Joe Mixon.
The Bengals planned to re-sign Perine leading up to free agency in 2023, but the veteran ballcarrier chose a new start with the Broncos. He ended up as the third running back in terms of rushing, but did achieve career-highs in receiving with 50 receptions for 455 yards.
Perine is now on the outside looking in with one year remaining on his deal. And if Cincinnati wants him back, the club may have to send an offer Denver's way.
This may complicate things for the Bengals. Trading for Perine would not only mean to give something up in return, but to also take on his remaining contract. Perine is owed a base salary of $2.83 million and can earn up to $170,000 in per game roster bonuses.
The Bengals would take on what is essentially a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. If Perine were released instead, it's possible they could sign him for a cheaper price.
As for the return compensation, the Bengals are used to executing player-for-player trades. They gave the New York Giants former first-round pick Billy Price for B.J. Hill back in 2021, a swap the Bengals are still gracious for. The year prior saw the Bengals make a deal with—coincidentally enough—the Broncos, giving them Austin Calitro for Christian Covington.
Trading a player is far more likely than a draft pick, especially for a running back on the cusp of his 29th birthday. The player would likely have to already be on the roster bubble as well. Names like nickelback Jalen Davis, guard Nate Gilliam, and linebacker Joe Bachie come to mind as potential trade pieces.
The Bengals have pulled moves off like this before, but having to compete with other trade offers could take a reunion with Perine out of the picture entirely. If Denver fails to accept an offer, Cincinnati should have the chance to just sign him as a free agent. Perine is a vested veteran, which will make him eligible to sign elsewhere immediately.
Bengals Roster Cuts Tracker 2024: Covering every move Cincinnati makes towards 53 players
All the moves the Bengals are making to get down to the 53-player limit.
