The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have a good time on Sunday while sitting out with a bye due to other happenings in the AFC North.
Every other team in the division picked up a win while the Bengals were on bye, including the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers picking up some controversial calls via officials late in their respective contests.
Even so, the break gave names like Joe Burrow some time to rest up and it gave us a chance to run down some of the team’s best possible trade targets at the upcoming deadline.
Here’s a look at the must-know Bengals news, notes and quotes for October 23.
Trade targets at the deadline -- Bengals Wire
We break down multiple trade targets the Bengals might want to pick up the phone about, including a proposed reunion with a few former Bengals players who would be able to help the team now.
New 2024 NFL mock draft -- Bengals Wire
A new mock draft has the Bengals going a surprising route as they look to replace one of their stars.
Strength of schedule update -- Bengals Wire
A look at the Bengals strength of schedule at the bye week and how it compares to the rest of the NFL. It is, to be brief, not great.
Bengals at Penn State vs. Ohio State -- Bengals Wire
Draft season never stops and that’s especially true for NFL teams. The Bengals were one of many on hand to watch Penn State take on Ohio State over the weekend.
The "red flags" on Tee Higgins -- Bengals Wire
Looking at the 2024 NFL free agency class as a whole, one expert highlights the growing red flags surrounding Tee Higgins.
Higgins goes to the Hall -- Bengals Wire
Speaking of Higgins, he spent part of his bye week going into his high school’s Hall of Fame, making for a special moment for the star wideout.
AFC North update
Elsewhere in the AFC North, the Ravens (5-2) got an easy win, the Browns moved to 4-2 on the back of multiple questionable calls from referees late in their game, while the Steelers moved to 4-2 while also benefiting massively on a controversial spot that wasn’t reviewable. That leaves the Bengals at 3-3 and last in the AFC North.
Bye week content
Asked our photographer to send his top photos of the season so far… a thread🔥⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dauYmswBaF
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 22, 2023
Peak bye-week content as things slow to a drag –but the pictures really are amazing.