Bengals-Eagles Trade Deadline Deal For Arnold Ebiketie Fails

Bengals' move for Ebiketie from Eagles collapses

In a deadline twist no one saw coming, Cincinnati had Arnold Ebiketie in its grasp then let him slip away over a pick they no longer had.

Eagles-Bengals Arnold Ebiketie trade collapses over comp pick...

The Cincinnati Bengals were all set to land edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie from the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of Tuesday's NFL trade deadline, but the trade fell apart.

Cincinnati pulled out at the last moment after losing a third-round compensatory pick they had been awarded when the Baltimore Ravens signed Trey Hendrickson in the offseason.

Philadelphia had been set to receive a 2027 sixth-round pick in return. It would have been the Eagles' second trade in as many days, after they sent defensive tackle Jordan Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday.

For the Bengals, it would also have been their first in-season trade since 2024, when they acquired running back Khalil Herbert from the Chicago Bears.

Ebiketie, 27, began his career in Atlanta, where he spent four seasons with the Falcons after they took him with the 38th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

He’s already up to 25 tackles this season in Philadelphia just 13 away from the career-best mark he posted in 2024. Durability has never been an issue for him either, as he’s missed just one game since being drafted, back in his rookie year.

The production has dipped, though. After failing to reach double-digit quarterback hits for the first time last season with just six, he has only two so far this year and is still searching for his first sack despite 10 pressures. His 66.0 run-defense grade currently places him 41st among all edge defenders.

He was set to join a Bengals defense that ranks 25th overall this season 21st against the pass and 25th against the run. Cincinnati sits at 6-2 and will host bitter rival Pittsburgh on Sunday night, November 15th, with sole possession of the AFC North on the line.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia's season continues to unravel in the wake of the medical situation surrounding starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have now dropped seven straight after falling 19-11 to the New York Giants.

Philly is on a bye this week and will return in Week 11 to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 22nd.

Ebiketie would have walked into a Bengals defense that has struggled all year, sitting 25th overall 21st against the pass and 25th against the run. Cincinnati, now 6-2, heads into a massive Sunday night showdown on November 15th against hated rival Pittsburgh, with first place in the AFC North up for grabs.

Bengals are expected to back out of the trade for Arnold Ebiketie. The Bengals would have lost a third-round compensatory pick that they were receiving for Trey Hendrickson signing with Baltimore. Now this trade is expected to fall through.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026

On the other side, things keep getting worse in Philadelphia. With starting quarterback Jalen Hurts dealing with a medical situation, the Eagles have now lost seven in a row, the latest a 19-11 defeat to the New York Giants.

The Eagles get a chance to reset on their bye this week before returning in Week 11 for another date with the Steelers on November 22nd.