:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67703218/usa_today_13330939.0.jpg)
Around mid-day on Wednesday, the Bengals finally traded Carlos Dunlap.
It was in the works for a while, but it finally became official (or at least, it will be at 4 p.m. on Wednesday).
Despite Dunlap’s social media and sideline antics, another team was willing to trade for him. The Seattle Seahawks will be Dunlap’s new team, and they are in the middle of a playoff hunt. So the Bengals offload a troublesome veteran and save some cap space, while the Seahawks bolster their defense with a former Pro Bowler. Win-win.
Dunlap has spent 10 seasons with the Bengals, and he still has some positive memories in Cincinnati.
To illustrate, here’s his Instagram story from Wednesday morning:
Carlos Dunlap posted this video on his IG shortly before noon today.#Bengals pic.twitter.com/AKNrWFwUzd
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) October 28, 2020
Dunlap is the first Bengal to be traded away mid-season since...Carson Palmer in 2012. Funny enough, two of the Bengals’ last three mid-season trades have been with the Seahawks.
The Dunlap deal to the Seahawks is only the second in-season trade by the #Bengals since 1985. The other was Carson Palmer to the Raiders in 2012.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 28, 2020
That 85 trade was TE Dan Ross to ... Seattle. https://t.co/FuCqF5M3nx
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) October 28, 2020
As Twitter does, there have been many varying reactions about the news. Here are some of the more (well-deserved) bitter comments:
Carlos Dunlap leaves as a guy that embarrassed himself. The fact that never seemed to bother him allows me to open the door wide for him. #Bengals
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) October 28, 2020
This feels a little like the Palmer situation. A player who has done a lot for the franchise ends his tenure with bitterness https://t.co/5spQc1OrFB
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) October 28, 2020
But it is important to keep in mind that Dunlap did a lot for the team in the 2010s. As insane as his exit has been, many are choosing to remember the better times.
Jessie Bates on Dunlap getting traded: "That's unfortunate obviously. Carlos is a good person. I'm just happy he's in a situation where he can potentially have success." #Bengals
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) October 28, 2020
Dunlap said he’s sorry that it is ending this way but he has to do what he has to do and I told him I understand, I just wanted to say goodbye in person
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) October 28, 2020
Carlos Dunlap leaves Cincinnati with 82.5 sacks.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) October 28, 2020
Eddie Edwards is franchise leader with 83.5 sacks.
One. Sack. Short. #Bengals
But in the end, this is what was best for both sides.
I expect Carlos Dunlap to return to form with Seattle. So, that's why I'm just a little salty about the value of the trade. But I get it.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 28, 2020
Then there are those guys who have to poke at the Bengals’ organization any chance they get.
Great job by the Bengals at keeping their Dunlap issues low key and not reducing his value before dealing him... Wait... the opposite of that
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) October 28, 2020
Here’s what everyone wants to know: the compensation. What did the Bengals get in return for a former Pro Bowler?
They got OL B.J. Finney and a seventh-round draft pick. Not a great return, but considering that Dunlap tanked his own trade value, this is fine.
So, it's Finney and a 7th round pick. Basically nothing for the future. It's whatever. Get something for a guy they couldn't use correctly anymore.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 28, 2020
Updating to indicate the player is OL B.J. Finney, who is listed as the Seahawks' backup center. Originally an undrafted free agent signing by the Steelers in 2015, stayed there through 2019 and appeared in six games with Seattle this season. #Bengals https://t.co/1eimm80Ifu
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) October 28, 2020
BJ Finney never seemed to settle in Seattle, so no surprise the Seahawks are sending him to Cincinnati in the Carlos Dunlap trade to help make the money work. Don’t think the Bengals are done making trades.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) October 28, 2020
(Bill Barnwell clearly didn’t see the tweet about only three trades in the last three decades.)
if the bengals want to keep finney for 2021, he's set to count for $4.5m against the cap.
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) October 28, 2020
subtract that from dunlap's cap savings and they freed up a little under $7m for next year.
With Trey Hopkins in concussion protocol BJ Finney makes short-term sense as injury insurance for Billy Price
— Matt Minich (@CoachMinich) October 28, 2020
The #Bengals owe Finney $1.47M for this year.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) October 28, 2020
They have the option of whether to keep him next year at $4.25M or can let him go to free agency owing nothing. https://t.co/d8Wv5MMLjr
For the Bengals to get a pick plus a player in exchange for Dunlap (who sabotaged his own trade value) is mightily impressive, even if the pick is just a late rd conditional pick and the player is a back-end guy. Thought Clubs would just wait for the Bengals to release Dunlap.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) October 28, 2020
Come for the analysis of an 11th-year edge defender who can do just about everything, stay for the shot of Carlos Dunlap pushing Orlando Brown INTO Lamar Jackson for a sack. That was fun. https://t.co/rFX8KPNWVm
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 28, 2020
The Seahawks are getting a good, well-rounded starter in Carlos Dunlap.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 28, 2020
Power-rusher with good power & wiry strength who wants to set things up off of his bull-rush & long-arm. Does a nice job getting half-man & capturing the corner with a push-pull and a dip/rip variation. pic.twitter.com/I9LaZl1GiQ
An interesting point of the Dunalp-Finney swap is how it affects the future of OL Billy Price. With another swing interior guy, Bengals could look to trade Price in a win-win for both sides.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 28, 2020
"I was there in 2015 & Carlos tried to sell me that house when I said I just need to rent a small apartment" @OfficialAJHawk on @Carlos_Dunlap getting traded & trying to sell his house after his last game #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/dmEySRhztT
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 28, 2020
Thank you for all the great memories @Carlos_Dunlap. #WhoDey
— Cincy Jungle (@CincyJungle) October 28, 2020
Be sure to go follow our Twitter page and then go ‘like’ our Facebook page to get all of the latest Cincinnati Bengals news, views and some other fun stuff. Who Dey!