Bengals face big consequences of possible Myles Garrett trade

Oct 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) talk after the game at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals won’t be one of the teams trading for Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett.

But they’re going to be massively impacted if and when Garrett gets moved.

Garrett publicly requested a trade from the Browns on Monday, sending most fanbases into wishlists and trade ideas now that one of the game’s best overall players is available.

Bengals fans know better, though, simply because the trade conversations start at a first-round pick and quite a bit more — before a market-resetting contract extension the acquiring team would pay out, too.

But the Bengals will benefit greatly just from seeing Garrett leave the AFC North. Only two names have sacked Bengals passers more over their careers, as noted by Sports Illustated’s Jay Morrison:

During an offseason the Bengals need to onboard a new offensive line coach and rebuild the interior of the line, Garrett going away would already provide a boost.

Now for the negative — Garrett getting an extension with a new team could mean he checks in around $35 million per year. And if he lands that, it complicates things for the Bengals and extension talks with Trey Hendrickson, who just led the NFL in sacks last year and has been a top-five pass-rusher since arriving in Cincinnati.

So, good and bad. The Hendrickson problem is brewing and could get worse. But Garrett leaving the AFC North would be a positive, too.