Overview

• The Bengals are 2-2 with Joe Burrow sidelined until at least December following Sept. 19 turf-toe surgery.
• Under Jake Browning, Cincinnati has been held under 175 total yards in consecutive games for the first time since 1971, including a 28-3 loss to Denver; Browning has three touchdowns, five interceptions and a 67.9 passer rating in 2025.
• Reports highlight veteran trade targets such as Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton, with the Giants carrying both Wilson and Winston as possible low-cost options.
• Cousins presents the biggest cap hurdle with roughly $21.4 million in 2025 salary remaining plus a fully guaranteed $10 million option bonus due in March, whereas Wilson and Winston carry sub-$1.6 million rest-of-season salaries.
• Cincinnati rarely makes in-season acquisitions—two in 52 years—while a five-week trade window, leverage concerns over who calls first, and upcoming games against the Lions, Packers and Steelers add pressure to act.