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Eagles trade Arnold Ebiketie to Bengals as deadline selloff picks up
The Bengals are expected to cancel a reported trade for Eagles edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie, which would have sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to Philadelphia. Cincinnati reconsidered after learning the deal could cost it a compensatory third-round pick, while the Eagles’ reported move to trade Ebiketie adds to signs they are selling players at the deadline.
Ebiketie, 27, joined Philadelphia on a one-year, $4.3 million contract with incentives and has recorded 25 tackles and two quarterback hits in nine games. A 2022 second-round pick by Atlanta, he had 16.5 sacks across four seasons with the Falcons, including six-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024. The Eagles also traded Jordan Davis to Jacksonville for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick; Cincinnati, meanwhile, is 6-2 and had been seeking to strengthen its defence.
In short
- Cincinnati is expected to pull out of the Ebiketie trade.
- The deal could have cost the Bengals a compensatory third-round pick.
- Philadelphia has also traded Jordan Davis to Jacksonville.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Cincinnati could reasonably decide that adding Ebiketie would address an immediate defensive need while the team is 6-2 and in contention. If the expected contribution justified the cost, including a possible effect on compensatory picks, acting before the deadline could improve its chances this season.
The case against
Cincinnati could reasonably conclude that the potential loss of a compensatory third-round pick makes the deal too costly for a player whose recent production is modest. Keeping future draft flexibility may be wiser than spending additional value on a short-term defensive reinforcement, particularly if the pick’s impact on the team is uncertain.