Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson has made a trade request official. This trade has sent shockwaves through the league, and it comes just two weeks after his public trade request. His request comes amidst a major power shift within his own team. Recent player injuries have scared enough teams, particularly in the AFC North and NFC West divisions, to pay attention and wake up.
Trey Hendrickson, their other critical defender, is doubtful to play on Sunday with a hip injury. His case puts urgency to the Bengals’ roster management, as they deal with the complications that pile on with the season. Hendrickson’s likely absence would be a huge blow for Cincinnati. He’s a defensive standout — one of the best in the game — who recently negotiated a $13 million pay increase for his final contract year after settling a feud dating back years.
After Wilson’s recent trade request, uncertainty about his place in the organization has jumped to the forefront. The Bengals’ linebacker has contributed significantly to their defense, but recent events have left him wanting a change. As noted yesterday, the Bengals have been actively gauging interest in a potential trade. In the meantime, Wilson’s request makes their roster maneuvering much more difficult.
Just like the Seattle Seahawks, every NFL team is taking stock of their roster. They’re making great strides in jumping ahead to fill their defensive holes. Uchenna Nwosu, drafted in 2020 in the second round, and Darrell Mafe, a fifth-round defensive end chosen in 2022 by Seattle, are on the hot seat. Mafe tallied 15 sacks during the last two seasons. This year’s been brutal for him. He hasn’t been able to record any sacks and has just one tackle for loss in seven games. At 27 years old, Mafe will see his rookie deal expire after this season, prompting speculation about his role moving forward.
As teams analyze their rosters, the Minnesota Vikings are in a unique position regarding their quarterback situation. Kirk Cousins has emerged as a potential fit for the Vikings, especially as they seek an experienced veteran backup for J.J. McCarthy. Ideally, the Atlanta Falcons would have to show a willingness to trade Cousins, throwing a monkey wrench into the entire situation for Minnesota.
Outside of Miami, injuries around the league are causing a massive roadblock to usage rate and player dynamic projections. Carson Wentz going down with season ending shoulder surgery puts the pressure on teams like the Vikings to find reliable options under center. The need for depth at this critical position continues to grow as teams prepare for the remainder of the season.
The dynamic between player requests and injuries highlights how volatile the NFL trade and roster management market can be. It’s the teams who are always in the balance between two directions always undercut and challenged by the unknown of player health and player performance.
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