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Bengals coach Zac Taylor acknowledges fault in failed trade for Eagles edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie
The Cincinnati Bengals backed out of a proposed trade for Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie before Tuesday’s deadline, and coach Zac Taylor acknowledged the team was at fault. Director of football Duke Tobin said Cincinnati had underestimated the cost of adding defensive depth, while describing Philadelphia as a willing trade partner.
The reported deal would have sent the Eagles a 2027 sixth-round pick, but ESPN reported that Cincinnati later realised it would also need to surrender a compensatory pick and withdrew. The pick was awarded after the Bengals lost more qualifying free agents than they signed, including Trey Hendrickson. Taylor said he did not seek details of the negotiations and trusted the front office; Cincinnati had won four straight games and was preparing to host Pittsburgh.
In short
- Cincinnati withdrew from a proposed deal for Arnold Ebiketie.
- The Bengals misjudged the compensation required, including a compensatory pick.
- Zac Taylor said the mistake was on Cincinnati’s end.
Explained simply
The Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles are NFL teams, and the league’s trade deadline is the last point in the season when teams can usually exchange players. Teams weigh the value of adding depth against the draft picks they would give up, since those picks can be used to recruit younger players.
Arnold Ebiketie is a defensive edge rusher, a player who tries to pressure the opposing quarterback from the side of the line. Cincinnati had a draft pick available because it had lost more qualifying free agents than it signed; Trey Hendrickson was among those departures.
The Bengals are run by a front office that handles player recruitment and trades, while Zac Taylor is the head coach. Duke Tobin, the team’s director of football, oversees football operations, including roster decisions.