Bengals Call Off Reported Trade for Arnold Ebiketie

The Cincinnati Bengals called off their reported trade for Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie before the November 10 NFL trade deadline, with reports attributing the decision to Cincinnati’s desire to preserve a potential 2027 compensatory draft pick. The accounts differ on whether the deal had been finalized: one report said it was not, while others described an agreed trade that was later called off. No supplied account establishes that the transaction was completed.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport initially reported that Philadelphia would receive a 2027 sixth-round pick for Ebiketie. The proposed move was expected to give Cincinnati another pass rusher, but would also have affected the Bengals’ draft-pick position under the NFL’s compensatory formula.

Compensatory-pick analyst Nick Korte said Ebiketie’s signing as a compensatory free agent by Philadelphia meant acquiring him would have negated a third-round pick Cincinnati was projected to receive in 2027 for Trey Hendrickson’s departure to the Baltimore Ravens. That pick remains a projection under the formula, rather than a final league award.

Ebiketie, 27, had 25 tackles and no sacks in nine games for Philadelphia...