Will the Bengals Trade Chad Johnson?

Last offseason, Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson was begging and pleading (or was he demanding?) to be traded. This offseason, we haven’t heard a word from Chad and suddenly there are rumblings that he could be headed out of town — maybe to the Philadelphia Eagles.

That’s what ESPN’s Michael Smith was saying on NFL Live today:

“I am hearing there is interest in Chad Johnson. Now there’s been some back and forth as to whether or not he is officially on the market. I think everybody in Cincinnati has signed off on moving Chad except for owner Mike Brown. The Eagles could be in the picture. They have two first-round picks. They need a receiver.”

Who doesn’t need a receiver? This is all speculation and hearsay at this point. Nothing official has come out of Cincinnati saying that Chad is “on the market.” And Chad, as I already mentioned, hasn’t said a word. But maybe if he continues to be on his best behavior, he might just get his wish — albeit a year later — to find employment with another team.

Sometimes I think the Bengals would be better off without him, much like the Cowboys should be better off without Terrell Owens. Both are very good receivers so that doesn’t seem to make sense on paper. But as far as team chemistry is concerned, it was a good move for Dallas to cut ties with T.O. And it would be a good idea for the Bengals to cut the cord with Chad. A fresh start is just what he needs and the Bengals, in turn, can go about their business of finding players that embrace the team-first concept.

Source: Philly.com, Photo: Newscom