It looks like the Cincinnati Bengals and head coach Zac Taylor are ready to move on from their veteran linebacker. Logan Wilson lost his starting spot to rookie Barrett Carter earlier. Fans first noticed the shift during the week 3 loss against the Minnesota Vikings when Wilson was benched for Carter.

At the time, the team said it was just trying to take some snaps off the sixth-year veteran, but Wilson clearly understood it signaled uncertainty over his future, and now even the experts have weighed in.

“And a third would be the Bengals, who haven’t shown an appetite for trading Trey Hendrickson, but have at least fished around on the idea of trading LB Logan Wilson,” SI’s Albert Breer wrote this week. Well, Wilson’s participation this season backs what Breer said.

Earlier in this season, Wilson played 100% of the defensive snaps. But that number has taken a sharp drop. In recent weeks, he’s been for less than 50% of the defensive plays (against the Steelers), but in the week 6 game against the Packers, his snap count dipped as low as 19.7 %. His recent playing time has mostly come on the special teams. The rise of young talent like Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. has restricted his role.

This change has been hard to watch for the fans. But if you think Wilson’s problems end here, you might be mistaken. His contract stands as a major hurdle in finding a new regiment.

Wilson’s four-year, $36 million extension, signed in 2023 with $10 million guaranteed, complicated things. His $9 million average annual salary and $8.75 million cap hit make him a high-cost veteran. This has made things tricky for him and slowed down trade talks of other teammates.

The Bengals are ready for Trey Hendrickson

With zero interceptions and sacks this season, Cincinnati seems to have decided on Wilson. But this is not the case with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. After an agreed restructuring in the contract before 2025, his salary is around $14 million. This brings his total pay this year to about $30 million. Even with that deal, Hendrickson is still set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, keeping the fans on edge about his future in the Bengals. Surprisingly, the team has reassured everyone that there are no immediate plans to trade him.

But still, he might not be completely off the radar. After putting up strong numbers (including 4 sacks) and consistently pressuring quarterbacks, tensions keep brewing for him. The Bengals have been reluctant to offer Hendrickson a long-term contract extension that meets his expectations.

Naturally, this has fueled trade rumors as the November 4 deadline approaches. With the team’s playoff chances looking slim, everyone is speculating whether the Bengals might consider moving him. But the situation is far from settled.

Hendrickson has been dealing with a hip injury that has limited his practice participation and game availability, adding another layer of uncertainty. Several teams in need of an elite pass rusher, including the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Carolina Panthers, have been mentioned as potential landing spots.

With the trade deadline looming, Cincinnati faces a big decision. Do they keep Hendrickson and let go of Wilson to start exploring trade options? The talent they both possess is undeniable. But they remain critical pieces of the Bengals’ defensive puzzle. Moreover, the unresolved contract issues may compel the team to rethink its long-term future with the Bengals.