The Cincinnati Bengals have had a roller-coaster history dating back to the '80s when they were making Super Bowl runs with Boomer Esiason and Ken Anderson. They had a great history of regular season success under Marvin Lewis but completely fell apart in the postseason. This all adds up to the Bengals being one of the remaining franchises in the NFL that has never won a Super Bowl.
Heading into 2020, the Bengals are in full rebuild mode led by rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and second-year head coach Zac Taylor. It is unlikely that Cincinnati will make any big splash deals this season, but that has not been the case throughout their history. Let's take a look at the top five trades in Bengals' history.
5. Brian Leonard
Leonard was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. They viewed Leonard as a nice compliment to Steven Jackson but the marriage did not last. When Steve Spagnuolo took over, he was quick to deal the Rutgers product. The Bengals were the beneficiaries of the trade.
In 2009, Cincinnati sent tackle Orien Harris to St. Louis in exchange for Leonard in a player swap. He spent four years in Cincinnati and was a productive backup during his time. He totaled 631 receiving yards and 336 yards on the ground.
This is not saying that Leonard was an All-Pro or one of the best players in NFL history, but the trade was won by the Bengals. Especially since they were able to re-acquire Harris later that year.
4. Bill Bergey to Philadelphia
Bergey was drafted by the Bengals in 1969. The linebacker lasted five years in Cincinnati but the breakup was ugly. In 1974, Bergey signed a contract to play in the World Football League following the expiration of his contract in 1976. This was not taken well by the Bengals and they immediately put him on the trading block. The Eagles offered three draft picks were Bergey and the deal was done.
Bergey was extremely productive for the Eagles following the trade. The Bengals did okay themselves. The three draft picks turned into Wilson Whitley, Ray Griffin, and Ross Browner. Whitley played 82 games, starting 79, for the Bengals over six seasons. Griffin was a solid defensive back totaling 11 interceptions, eight fumble, recoveries, and three touchdowns during his seven-year stint in Cincinnati.
Browner spent nine of his 10 years in the league with the Bengals. The Notre Dame product finished with 29.5 sacks as a Bengal, remember sacks were not considered a stat during the first four years of his career. Browner was a staple defensively for the Bengals during their good days in the '80s.
Bergey was a big name in the NFL during his career and had some incredible seasons, but the haul was a lot. The Bengals got a crazy return for the linebacker and given the relationship between him and the franchise, this was a good trade for the Bengals.
3. Reggie Nelson
Nelson entered the league with huge expectations and they were met in his rookie season. As a rookie with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Nelson finished with five interceptions, 11 passes defended, and two forced fumbles. Nelson was looking like a cornerstone piece for a defense in Jacksonville but that is not how it turned out. After just three years with the team, Nelson was put on the trading block.
The Bengals landed Nelson in exchange for cornerback David Jones and a conditional draft pick that did not end up being dealt. In 2010, Nelson started just six games for the Bengals but he was a starter for the team in 2011. He produced in 2011 and decided to remain in Cincinnati after testing free agency.
Nelson ended up spending six years in Cincinnati before ending his career with three years in Oakland. He totaled 23 interceptions including a league-leading eight in 2015.
2. Blockbuster Carson Palmer deal
In 2010, Palmer played his final season in Cincinnati. The seven-year starter did not meet expectations and led the Bengals to just 4-12 that year. Marvin Lewis was given a new contract as head coach and it did not sit well with Palmer. He wanted out and threatened retirement if the Bengals did not trade him. And they did not at first.
In 2011, the Bengals selected Andy Dalton in the second round. This put Palmer on the trade block officially. The Oakland Raiders, who were unhappy with Jason Campbell, came calling and sent them an offer that could not be turned down. The Bengals received a 2012 first-round pick and a conditional pick that turned into a 2013 second-round pick. These picks turned into Dre Kirkpatrick and Giovani Bernard.
Palmer spent two years with the Raiders before resurrecting his career in Arizona. With the relationship between Palmer and the Bengals on the rocks, this trade was a steal. It was also beneficial that they had Dalton waiting to become the starter in Cincy.
1. James Brooks
Entering the 1984 season, Pete Johnson was unhappy with the Bengals and his current contract situation. Johnson rushed for 64 touchdowns in seven seasons in Cincinnati. Out west, the San Diego Chargers were throwing the ball all over the field in their “Air Coryell” system and ignoring their running back. This back was James Brooks, who led the NFL in all-purpose yards in 1981 and 1982.
In 1984, these two backs switched teams. The Bengals traded a 30-year old Johnson for 25-year old Brooks. In the end, this was a steal for the Bengals. Brooks spent eight years in Cincinnati and was named a Pro Bowler four times. He rushed for 1,000 yards three separate times. Brooks saw his best season in 1989 when he finished with 1,239 yards and seven touchdowns. He helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl in 1988 and was a staple in the backfield.
The situation for both of these running backs before the trade was unique in their own ways but very similar. Two unhappy running backs were traded for each other and one team made out better than the other. Johnson was decent during his days with the Chargers, but Brooks turned this into the best trade in franchise history for the Bengals.
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