The Cincinnati Bengals showing interest in a Max Crosby trade isn’t just a fan’s dream after all.
As it turns out, the Bengals at least scoffed at the idea before bowing out.
According to Albert Brill of Sports Illustrated, the Bengals are a “latecomer” to the conversation:
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“The Bengals, who were about to lose Trey Hendrickson in free agency, were another latecomer. By that point, more than a quarter of the league’s 32 teams had shown some level of interest in Crosby, while several other teams indicated he was reluctant to commit to the ring.”
It could be as simple as the Bengals asking for price before exiting, a simple matter of due diligence.
Crosby is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and is not yet 30 years old, but he was sent to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for two first-round draft picks.
The Bengals will lose Trey Hendrickson and perhaps Joseph Osei in free agency. But they have already made first-round investments in Seamus Stewart and Myles Murphy.
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Even if they didn’t, it’s hard to imagine the Bengals strongly considering giving up two first-round picks and paying Crosby a massive contract. One of the reasons for not paying Hendrickson the $30.2 million franchise tag (although there are many) is the need to spread that money throughout the defense.
Whether or not a small amount of due diligence was conducted, it must be encouraging to Bengals fans that the team has a whiff on the idea, and could suggest that rumors of serious aggression this offseason are very serious.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL Rumors: Bengals a ‘latecomer’ to Maxx Crosby trade sweepstakes