For Cincinnati Bengals fans, it’s fun to think about the front office using the NFL trade deadline to go all-in around Joe Burrow with a high-profile running back acquisition.
Think, the Bengals trading for Saquon Barkley.
Or even the Bengals trading Jonathan Taylor.
Those are “fun” ideas, but there’s a practical one that might end up just as effective on the field itself:
Calling the Tennessee Titans about Tony Pollard.
Pollard isn’t as flashy of a name. But that doesn't mean he isn’t as appealing as a fit on the field. That goes doubly for what he would actually cost the Bengals via trade and when it comes to contract details.
On the field, Pollard is still just 29 years old and managing to be effective on the shockingly bad Titans, rushing 112
times for 478 yards and four scores on a 4.3 average over seven games. He’s caught 11 of his 15 targets, too.
Off the field, Pollard is on an expiring contract, making him a short-term rental that doesn’t tie up future cap space for the Bengals. Compare that to Barkley, who’s on a three-year extension worth $37.75 million with $26 million guaranteed. Or Taylor with his two-year extension worth $44 million and $39 million in total guarantees.
Call it a perfect mix, really. Pollard has a longstanding track record of production in the NFL (he’s averaged 4.5 yards and scored 37 times in 119 games) and is versatile enough to fit Burrow’s offense.
Pollard would be more of a deepening of the running back rotation alongside the likes of Chase Brown than outright replacing Brown. When injuries start to pile up at an oft-injured position, that’s a good thing to have, especially in the AFC North during the winter months and into the playoffs.
This wouldn't be bargain hunting for the Bengals. Bargain hunting was the emergency trade for Khalil Herbert years ago. It’s frustrating that they’re suffering the same lacking depth chart at running back again, but Pollard is an obvious example of the route they can go.
Overall, the need for running back at all really underscores how so-so the running game install and Brown himself have been so far this year. Making another “blockbuster” move isn’t a must like it was on the defensive line, though, especially with sellers like the Titans and players like Pollard out there for the taking.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals trade for Tony Pollard makes more sense than Barkley, Taylor
