Instant Reaction: Bengals Stand Pat, Don't Make Any Moves at Trade Deadline
CINCINNATI — The 2023 NFL trade deadline has passed and the Bengals stood pat.
They didn't trade for a tight end or running back. They didn't add an interior pass rusher.
What does it mean?
It means they're banking on guys like Tanner Hudson, Chase Brown and Cam Sample to step up over the final 10 weeks of the season.
Let's start with tight end. Hudson could be added to the 53-man roster in the near future. Even if Irv Smith Jr. gets reps, there's no reason why Hudson can't get on the field.
Meanwhile, the Bengals hope Joe Mixon can remain productive at running back, especially with rookie Chase Brown out for at least the next three games with a hamstring injury.
Trayveon Williams has been a quality pass blocker. Maybe Chris Evans can take some pressure off of Mixon as a runner with Brown out. If not, then they'll certainly lean on the rookie when he's healthy and activated from injured reserve.
Sample has emerged as a legitimate option on the interior of their defensive line. If he can continue to develop, it would give them a big boost over the final 10 games of the season. There's also a chance that second-year defensive tackle Zach Carter takes a step forward.
A trade was always unlikely, but with obvious needs, the door on a potential deal was at least cracked ahead of the deadline.
The Bengals stood pat, which means they'll need some of their own guys to make a leap in the second half of the season.
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