More than usual, this felt like the year the Cincinnati Bengals might just make a move at the NFL trade deadline.
Or not.
The very same Bengals who had broken free of tradition in so many other ways decided not to make a move at the deadline — or couldn’t — and instead stood tall on the roster they’ve built.
With needs like running back, tight end and edge rusher and a market seeing names like Chase Young traded, it seemed like this might be the year.
Instead, the Bengals are left with the current roster and fans are left to debate about the team’s inaction.