As a win-now team with head coach Zac Taylor seemingly on his last chance after getting to retool the coaching staff under him, the Cincinnati Bengals come up often in trade speculation right now.
So it goes for a team that appears just a few pieces away from getting right back to contention.
Another example? Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggested the Bengals as a potential trade suitor for New Orleans defensive back Tyrann Mathieu:
Mathieu started all 17 games for New Orleans and finished with 62 tackles, seven passes defended and three interceptions. He allowed an opposing passer rating of just 76.4 in coverage.
Mathieu might be 32 now, but his cap hit would range in the affordable zone for a team trying to fix things quickly, depending on how much the Saints would ask for via trade, anyway.
But the point about the secondary being a need stands — Geno Stone struggled in Lou Anarumo’s scheme and Jordan Battle didn’t see the field much. Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner are question marks at corner and Mike Hilton is a free agent.
In other words, while aging, Mathieu would bring a known veteran commodity that provides flexibility and leadership.
Then again, ideas like this would also hinge greatly on whoever happens to be the team’s next defensive coordinator, too.
