ESPN Names Bengals Signing Trae Waynes The Team's Worst Mistake This Decade

It didn't lead to much production.
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Trae Waynes (26) against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Trae Waynes (26) against the Los Angeles Rams during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In this story:

CINCINNATI — Remember Trae Waynes?

ESPN's Bill Barnwell went down memory lane on Thursday afternoon while ranking each NFL team's worst mistakes this decade in order by severity 32-1. Cincinnati signing the former NFL cornerback to a three-year, $42 million deal took the 24th spot.

He never hit the 300-snap mark in Cincinnati (243 snaps in 2021, with 12 tackles and one pass break up).

"Waynes endured a disastrous time in Cincinnati," Barnwell wrote. "He missed the entire 2020 season after tearing a pectoral muscle during training camp. Upon his return to the lineup in 2021, he suffered a hamstring injury that pushed him back to injured reserve. The Bengals preferred other options by the time he returned, so the player with the largest hit on their 2021 cap didn't play a single defensive snap during their run to the Super Bowl. He was released after the season and appears to have retired."

The veteran was a rare miss in that free agency window for Cincinnati, but it was more than enough of a mistake to take this spot as the Bengals' worst move of the decade.

Waynes has not played a snap in the league since the 2024 season. Check out Barnwell's full ranking here.

For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel and watch the video below:

Make sure you bookmark BengalsTalk.com for the latest Bengals news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

What Bengals QB Joe Burrow Said About His Animated, Profane Discussion With Zac Taylor After Game-Clinching TD

Sam Hubbard Speculates About Knee Injury Following Bengals' Win Over Titan

Watch: Zac Taylor Hands Out Game Balls Following 37-27 Win Over Titans

Watch: Current, Former Bengals Reunite Following Cincinnati's Win Over Tennessee

Winners and Losers From Cincinnati Bengals' 37-27 Win Over Tennessee Titans

Bengals Stars Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase Set More NFL Records in Win Over Cowboys

Joe Burrow Shares Update on Injured Knee Following Bengals' Win Over Cowboys

Another Huge Night for Bengals Receiver Ja’Marr Chase Had Him Running Away From More Than Just Dallas Defenders

Bengals QB Joe Burrow Delivers Late Game-Winning TD Then Kicks Down Door Barring a Tee Higgins Return in 2025

Postgame Observations: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase Lead Bengals Past Cowboys 27-20

One Play in Cincinnati Bengals' Loss to Pittsburgh Steelers Sums Up 2024 Season

Joe Burrow Playing For City And More as Playoff Hopes Fade: 'Still an Exciting Opportunity'

‘They Missed That One’ – Bengals Don’t Hold Tongues on Officiating Mistake in Key Spot

It Took 13 Weeks, But the Reality of Futility Has Finally Forced Its Way Into the Cincinnati Bengals Locker Room

-----

Join the 46,000+ Bengals fans who subscribe to us on YouTube.

Follow us on Twitter: @BengalsTalkSI

Like Our Facebook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok


Published
Russ Heltman
RUSS HELTMAN

Russ Heltman is a contributor for AllBearcats and AllBengals. He is the morning host and producer for 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati, OH.  Russ can be found on Twitter: @RussHeltman11 or you can reach him by email at Heltmandm@yahoo.com.