Blockbuster Bengals trade pitch lands former $100 million 3-time All-Pro defender

The Cincinnati Bengals' defense was a complete liability in 2024, as the team was prone to allowing explosive plays and surrendered 25.5 points per game, which ranked in the bottom ten.

One unit that struggled mightily was the secondary, and the Bengals haven't done much to improve the backend this offseason. As it stands, Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II are slated to be Cincinnati's starters at boundary corner, and neither are reliable options. Newsweek's Matt Levine urges the Bengals to solve their problems in the secondary by trading for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

However, Levine doesn't seem to think a move for Ramsey will happen in Cincinnati due to the history of the front office.

"While Ramsey could desperately help this team, the Bengals don't typically make trades. Though the fit of Ramsey in Cincinnati makes a lot of sense, it's hard to see this happening under the current front office," Levine wrote.

If the Bengals want any shot to compete for a Super Bowl this year, they have to replace either Taylor-Britt or Turner at corner. Though Ramsey didn't play at a high level in 2024, the seven-time Pro Bowl is still a capable starter who played all 17 games last year and has never allowed a passer rating over 98.6 in his career.

As Levine stated, Cincinnati has been reluctant to pull off massive trades in the past. However, with corner being a desperate need, they should look into trading for Ramsey. The veteran would immediately step in as one of the better players on the defense and take over as the No.1 corner who is consistently matched up against the opposing team's top receiver.

Additionally, Ramsey's trade value isn't as high as it used to be. A late Day 2 or even a Day 3 pick should be enough to get a deal done. The Dolphins and the three-time All-Pro corner have been working on sending him elsewhere since April.

Cincinnati must try to win a Super Bowl in the prime years of superstar quarterback Joe Burrow. Acquiring Ramsey from Miami would instantly make Zac Taylor's squad better and set the defense up for a bounce-back season in 2025.

MORE CINCINNATI BENGALS NEWS

Cowboys linked to Bengals $24 million starting free agent defender

Bengals predicted to sign $49 million guard as upgrade over below-average starters

Giants-Bengals blockbuster trade proposal adds $141 million insurance policy for Cincinnati