The Cincinnati Bengals appear to have a problem on their hands, as a third player has now requested a trade or release.
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Linebacker Logan Wilson recently requested a trade, and the Bengals also released Mike Pennel, who was immediately picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson has followed suit and requested a trade.
The news of the trade request was reported by ESPN’s Ben Baby.
“Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson has requested a trade or release, a source told ESPN on Thursday.
Jackson is the third defensive player in recent weeks to request to be moved,” Baby wrote.
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Jackson’s trade request comes as he has been used very little in the 2025 season. Per the ESPN report, the defensive tackle has been a healthy scratch for six out of the eight games for the Bengals this season.
Jackson played in only six defensive snaps in Week 5 and has not seen much action apart from that. It is a strange situation considering the defender was drafted by the Bengals in the third round.
The usual case for third-round picks is that they are players who generally take the field plenty. Jackson began the 2024 season on injured reserve due to a knee injury, but he would go on to appear in 13 games.
During his rookie season, Jackson picked up 15 total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Even in his limited time, his stats are nowhere near on the terrible side.
The Bengals are currently 3-5 on the season, and don’t appear to be a team that is set to be sellers at the trade deadline. However, they may want to grant Jackson’s request, considering he is not being used on the roster.
If Cincinnati can pick up something in the fifth or sixth round of the draft for trading Jackson, that could be considered a win for both sides.
For more on the Bengals, head to Newsweek Sports.
