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Bengals nearly made a costly trade-deadline blunder, and Zac Taylor had to explain it

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Sports Desk

In Short: Bengals coach Zac Taylor addressed a near-miss trade deadline mistake on Wednesday, explaining the team's failed attempt to trade Cordell Volson.

Zac Taylor (Wikidata P18).

SO ZAC TAYLOR HAD TO APOLOGIZE ON DUKE TOBIN'S BEHALF TODAY!! DUKE REFUSES TO TALK TO THE MEDIA!?. FIRST STOP BENGALS

Taylor said the trade fell through after the Bengals realized they would lose a compensatory 2027 third-round pick due to Volson's departure.

Taylor noted that the trade would have been problematic because Volson had not played this year, making his departure irrelevant for compensatory pick calculations.

Taylor also mentioned a conversation with Duke Tobin, the team's general manager, who was explicit about how he wanted the trade portrayed.

Taylor said, 'I'm not comfortable doing it, but I'm going to do what he asked,' indicating the pressure to follow Tobin's directives.

Taylor acknowledged the trade speculation surrounding him, stating, 'The past couple weeks, it’s kind of been the same thing,' referring to the rampant trade rumors.

Taylor's contract extends through 2028, and he remains under contract with the Bengals.

Trade interest in Taylor has been expressed by multiple teams, including the Vikings, Giants, Broncos, Bengals, and Packers, as reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Taylor's performance this season includes 161 carries, 656 rushing yards, and 8 touchdowns, according to The Big Lead.

Despite the near-trade, Taylor's future with the Bengals remains secure, as he signed an extension in the summer.

What's confirmed

• Taylor said the trade fell through after the Bengals realized they would lose a compensatory 2027 third-round pick due to Volson's departure.
• Taylor noted that the trade would have been problematic because Volson had not played this year, making his departure irrelevant for compensatory pick calculations.
• Taylor also mentioned a conversation with Duke Tobin, the team's general manager, who was explicit about how he wanted the trade portrayed.
• Taylor said, 'I'm not comfortable doing it, but I'm going to do what he asked,' indicating the pressure to follow Tobin's directives.
• Taylor acknowledged the trade speculation surrounding him, stating, 'The past couple weeks, it’s kind of been the same thing,' referring to the rampant trade rumors.
• Taylor's contract extends through 2028, and he remains under contract with the Bengals.
• Trade interest in Taylor has been expressed by multiple teams, including the Vikings, Giants, Broncos, Bengals, and Packers, as reported by NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
• Taylor's performance this season includes 161 carries, 656 rushing yards, and 8 touchdowns, according to The Big Lead.
• Despite the near-trade, Taylor's future with the Bengals remains secure, as he signed an extension in the summer.

What's still developing

• But it seemed the Bengals failed to realize or understand that the trade would have meant also forfeiting the compensatory 2027 third-round pick they are due after losing Trey Hendrickson in free agency.
• Here's the full chart: Oh that's brutal on the 3rd round comp pick! as noted by @nickkorte pic.twitter.com/OwwyNB71PA The Bengals may have believed Cordell Volson counted as a CFA lost, but he has not played this year, rendering his departure moot in the compensatory picks balance.
• Now, Taylor is being linked to five teams with the deadline rapidly approaching.
• Of course, playing from behind all game didn't help one bit, but in the greater scheme of things, there was no reason for Taylor to even be there.
• I will forever remember it as the trade deadline in which the Bengals nearly accidentally traded a third-round pick for Arnold Ebiketie (more on that below).

Sources

• CBS Sportslink
• Fox Newslink
• Silink
• Newsweeklink
• Horseshoeheroeslink
• Bigblueviewlink
• CBS Sportslink
• Bolaviplink
• Heavylink
• Thebigleadlink
• Lombardiavelink
• Bleacherreportlink
• Espnlink
• FIRST STOP BENGALS — video link
• Nothing Personal with David Samson — video link
• Cincinnati Enquirer — video link
• Locked On Bengals - Hit — video link
• Bengals Breakdown by Chat Sports — video link
• FOX19 NOW | Cincinnati — video link