Not only are the Cincinnati Bengals 3-5, without their starting quarterback and absolutely floundering on the defensive side of the ball, it seems that no one wants to play for them.
Seriously.
According to Ben Baby of ESPN, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson is the latest Bengal to want out of Cincinnati.
“Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson has requested a trade or release, a source told ESPN on Thursday,” Baby writes. “Jackson is the third defensive player in recent weeks to request to be moved.
“Jackson, a third-round pick in the 2024 draft, has been a healthy scratch for six of the team’s first eight games this season. His only in-game action came on six defensive snaps in a Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.”
McKinnley Jackson joins Logan Wilson in wanting out
Jackson isn’t the only Bengals’ defender to want out. Last week, linebacker Logan Wilson requested a trade due to reduced playing time. This comes after signing a four-year, $36 million contract extension in 2023.
Jackson has fallen out of favor apparently with new defensive coordinator Al Golden. He hasn’t played in a game in three weeks, and Golden made it sound like he’s not close to getting on the field.
“He’s got power, he’s got knee bend, he’s got strength,” Golden said two weeks ago. “I would love at some point for that to translate for us and get him going. So he’s on that journey right now and he knows what he needs to do.”
One would have to think that if either Wilson or Jackson could play and help the Bengals, they’d gladly put them out there. After all, the Bengals are the worst defense in the NFL, giving up a healthy 407.9 yards per game.
McKinnley Jackson was paired with Kris Jenkins in the 2024 NFL Draft
In last year’s NFL draft, the Bengals spent a third-round pick on Jackson, and took another defensive tackle, Kris Jenkins, a round earlier. Back in August, Golden sounded excited to work with the young duo.
“Really excited about them,” Golden said. “Jenkins, he’s shown the ability to rush the passer. I think he’s healthy. I wasn’t here, but I don’t think he started the year healthy last year. So he’s healthy, he’s quicker, he’s playing with a lot of energy. McKinnley is powerful inside and playing really well in terms of not getting moved off the ball. He’s coming off blocks better. I’m excited about their growth.”
But apparently, not really.
McKinnley Jackson not the only defensive tackle that wants out
And this is all coming after the Bengals reached a non-injury settlement with another defensive tackle, Mike Pennel, who promptly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Pennel was signed to the Bengals’ active roster in early September and served in a rotational role at defensive tackle, but his services are no longer required in Cincinnati,” Rotowire wrote. “The 12th-year pro logged 15 tackles (four solo) across eight regular-season games for the Bengals prior to his release.”
It can’t be a coincidence that everyone wants out of town. And we’re not even mentioning the debacle that was the Trey Hendrickson offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is the Cincinnati Bengals of the Cincinnati Bengals. And you know exactly what I’m talking about.
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