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AFC contenders improved at the NFL trade deadline. The Bengals didn't

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: AFC contenders improved at the NFL trade deadline.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated November 10, 2026, 9:11 PM UTC
Key points
  • But no matter how much the Bengals might like their current roster to reach the postseason by some means, they could have gotten better at the trade deadline.
  • Meanwhile, the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars (6-1) loaded up at the trade deadline with multiple marquee moves.
  • After the Ebiketie deal dissolved, Cincinnati went without a deal over the remaining hours of the NFL trade deadline.

Here's what the Bengals' lack of deals means for the team going forward: While Super Bowl contenders loaded up, Bengals stood still At 6-2, the Bengals are competing for the AFC North title, and even better position for a wild-card playoff berth.

There are holes there, and the Bengals didn't fill any via the trade deadline.

Additional details
  • Bengals choose to stick with current running backs Cincinnati has the third-worst running game in the NFL at 85.6 yards per game, and only the Las Vegas Raiders (71.3) and Green Bay Packers (68.2) are worse.
  • That still doesn't change the fact that their roster is unchanged, and the AFC contenders they'll likely have to deal with during a long postseason run almost all enhanced their rosters.
  • The Cincinnati Bengals were rolling until the NFL's trade deadline day on Nov.
  • On the tail end of all that, the Bengals are scheduled to host a primetime showdown against co-AFC North leader, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a clash of 6-2 teams.
  • The AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills (7-1) made a big deal to improve their defense via acquiring Amani Hooker (Bengals fans should remember Hooker from Nov.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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