The Cincinnati Bengals have been down this road before.
An explosive offense held back by a below-average defense is enough to keep the Bengals from realizing their dreams this season. That was something the franchise tried to address during the offseason, making an aggressive trade for Dexter Lawrence II ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft and signing Boye Mafe in free agency.
While Cincinnati raced out to a 5-2 start through eight weeks, it has become clear Bengals will likely need more if they plan to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium in February.
And allowing 36 points to the Tennessee Titans, a team typically allergic to scoring, might be exactly what the Bengals
needed. It was a sign that standing pat at the upcoming NFL trade deadline isn't an option and that offseason aggression needs to carry over.
A trip to Madrid for the team's Week 9 contest against the Atlanta Falcons represents the last measuring stick game before the Nov. 11 deadline.
Here's a look at some trade candidates it makes sense for the Bengals to explore acquiring this season.
Bengals trade targets 2026
RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
The obvious choice. Taylor has been the subject of trade rumors for most of the season, but it's clear the Colts aren't just going to let the running back leave in exchange for a firm handshake and a package of late-round draft picks a team managed to scrounge up.
Players of Taylor's caliber aren't always available at the trade deadline, but it's important to note that he is a luxury – not a necessity. Would the Bengals like to improve their running game? Probably. Does it make sense to part with a Christian McCaffrey-type package to do it? Probably not.
Given the team's other and more pressing needs, Taylor is a player that sounds good in theory. However, this isn't a video game and the Bengals aren't a team that can afford to part with a big package of draft picks in exchange for a running back – regardless of how good Taylor is.
RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
If the Bengals insist on adding a running back, look no further than Hall. New York has given no indication it plans to trade the 25-year-old, but recent developments suggest the team should at least consider the idea. Hall has missed the last five games with a quad injury and appears set to return in Week 9. However, Hall's absence allowed Braelon Allen to emerge in the Jets' backfield. Allen has rushed for at least 100 yards in three of those five games and over the course of a full season would be on pace for 1,713 rushing yards.
It has become clear that Allen benefits from a steady workload and finds a better rhythm as RB1. Hall's return could relegate Allen to a complimentary role, something that could hurt the Jets' backfield. If the Bengals want some running back help without breaking the bank, Hall makes plenty of sense.
Reports indicated that New York wanted a third-round pick at the deadline last season. If the Bengals are serious about getting some running back help, Hall makes more sense than Taylor if the Jets make him available.
LB Zack Baun, Philadelphia Eagles
Baun blossomed into a Pro Bowl linebacker that also earned a first-team All-Pro selection after arriving in Philadelphia. He might be the perfect target to transform the Bengals defense. The soon-to-be 30-year-old linebacker has just one more season remaining on his contract and his career timeline doesn't appear to be lining up with the Eagles' competitive window anymore. Philadelphia faces a lot of uncertainty heading into the offseason and could be staring at the possibility of a rebuild.
In other words, Baun's career could be winding down by the time the Eagles are contenders again. That harsh reality opens the door for a trade to a linebacker-needy team like the Bengals, who have some youth in the room right now.
Baun is not only someone that would stabilize the second level of the Cincinnati defense, but he could also be the veteran voice that helps develop the existing group of linebackers on the team. Baun was a key piece to the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning team. If the Bengals can find a deal with the Eagles, don't be surprised if he has the same impact in Cincinnati.
CB Riq Woolen, Philadelphia Eagles
There is a "help wanted" sign hanging on the door of the Bengals' cornerback room. Injuries have taken a toll on the group and Woolen is a player that should depart Philadelphia ahead of the deadline. A Super Bowl champion last season with the Seattle Seahawks, Woolen is playing on a one-year deal with the Eagles. He is a pure rental, meaning it's hard to imagine the cost to acquire him would be hefty.
With his combination of size and speed, the Bengals can solidify an outside cornerback spot by swinging a deal for the 27-year-old.
CB Nahshon Wright, New York Jets
Wright broke out in 2025 with the Chicago Bears, collecting five interceptions en route to earning his first Pro Bowl selection. The cornerback only managed to ink a one-year deal with the Jets in free agency and has played in just three games this season. He is said to be "definitely frustrated" by his role, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. And while Wright hasn't formally requested a trade, the writing is on the wall.
Cincinnati could probably acquire Wright for a late-round pick, potentially making him more realistic than Woolen – a player that could have a larger market.
S Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
Beyond the defensive line, the Bengals should look to explore every avenue for improvement on defense. In this case, that includes Baker. Similar to Baun, Baker would provide a veteran presence to the defense and continue to signal that the team is all-in on trying to win a Super Bowl this season. At age-30, the safety isn't necessarily the player he once was.
However, the eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro already set a career-high in sacks with 3.5 through eight games this season. Baker's game is primarily in the box, which wouldn't be a bad thing for a Cincinnati team also seeking linebacker help. In a way, a deal for Baker could accomplish a pair of needs with one move and allow the Bengals to seek out other candidates on the trade market.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bengals trade targets show Jonathan Taylor is a luxury the team can't afford
