ClutchPoints
Training camp is always a time for optimism, but for the Cincinnati Bengals, 2025 also brings a sense of urgency. With Joe Burrow healthy again and the receiving duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked in long-term, expectations are sky-high. Yet under the surface, a few lingering roster questions suggest that some surprising veterans may not make it to Week 1 in stripes. As the Bengals prepare for a crucial bounce-back campaign, two sneaky trade candidates are worth keeping an eye on.
The Bengals deserve credit for a focused offseason, even if it lacked major upgrades. They locked in Chase and Higgins to long-term deals. That should please fans and Burrow, who pushed to keep his top targets intact.
Not all contract situations were resolved, though. Reigning sacks leader Trey Hendrickson enters a contract year still without a new deal, and tensions are rising.
While extending Burrow’s weapons is smart, Cincinnati’s neglect of a porous defense is troubling. The unit ranked 25th last season and was met with a coordinator swap rather than major reinforcements. First-round pick Shemar Stewart adds intrigue but is raw. He also might not even suit up this season.
Cincinnati is banking on internal growth, but that gamble could backfire. It also sets the stage for potential surprise trades as camp battles unfold.
Here we’ll try to look at two players who are sneaky Cincinnati Bengals trade candidates entering 2025 NFL training camp.
Crowded trenches and costly contracts don’t mix. Cordell Volson’s Bengals career has been something of a rollercoaster. A three-year starter at guard, Volson was initially lauded for his toughness and durability. However, his play regressed late last season, especially in pass protection. It exposed some of the very issues Cincinnati hoped to solve this offseason.
The Bengals have since added veteran guard Lucas Patrick, brought back Cody Ford, and spent a third-round pick on Georgia’s Dylan Fairchild. The latter is a young and athletic mauler who fits the zone-blocking scheme Al Golden and the offensive staff want to lean into. That puts Volson’s starting spot in serious jeopardy.
More importantly, it puts his contract under scrutiny. Despite recently agreeing to a pay cut, Volson still carries a cap hit of roughly $31 million over the life of his restructured deal. Cincinnati could free up over $5 million in 2025 alone by trading or releasing him. That’s a significant number for a team trying to balance cap flexibility with roster competitiveness.
Volson is experienced, but replaceable. With Fairchild pushing for immediate reps and the offensive line room becoming increasingly competitive, Volson could become the odd man out. That’s especially true if a line-needy team is willing to take on part of his deal via trade. If the Bengals feel confident in their younger, cheaper options, Volson is a prime trade or release candidate.
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