On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Logan Wilson's decision to request a trade, keys to victory for the Bengals vs. the Jets, Stone's Collage Football Weekend Preview ft. Missouri vs. Vanderbilt and Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma, and Best Bets Of The Weekend.

In a stunning development amid the Cincinnati Bengals' turbulent 2025 season, veteran linebacker Logan Wilson has formally requested a trade, as first reported by ESPN on October 23. The 29-year-old, a third-round pick out of Wyoming in 2020 and a newly minted defensive captain, cited a sharp decline in his playing time as the catalyst for his dissatisfaction. Once a cornerstone of Cincinnati's linebacker corps, Wilson's frustration underscores the team's ongoing defensive woes and a pattern of player discontent.

Wilson's benching saga began in earnest during Week 6's loss to the Green Bay Packers, where he logged a mere 19.7% of defensive snaps—his lowest since becoming a starter. The following week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his usage ticked up slightly to 47.5%, but it was still a far cry from his full-time role earlier in the year. Rookies Demetrius Knight (second-round pick) and Barrett Carter (fourth-round) have supplanted him, reflecting head coach Zac Taylor's push for youth integration. Despite this, Wilson has maintained professionalism, with Carter praising his mentorship to ESPN. On the season, Wilson has tallied 41 tackles, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery, but his Pro Football Focus grade sits at a middling 58.6—down from top-25 rankings in prior years.

This isn't Wilson's first brush with adversity. A knee injury sidelined him for six games in 2024, yet he rebounded with 104 tackles upon return. His 2023 extension, a four-year, $36 million deal through 2027, made him one of the NFL's better-paid off-ball linebackers. Career stats—313 solo tackles, 11 interceptions, and a Super Bowl appearance in 2021—paint him as a proven commodity. Now, with the November 4 trade deadline looming, Wilson's request joins a Bengals exodus: recent trade pleas from Jonah Williams, Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson, and Germaine Pratt (who was cut and bounced to multiple teams).

Potential suitors abound. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky pitches the Dallas Cowboys, whose defense leaks 29.4 points per game; Wilson's tackling prowess could shore up their front seven. The Indianapolis Colts, under ex-Bengals DC Lou Anarumo, loom as a natural fit, while the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers eye linebacker depth. Analysts peg his value at a late Day 3 pick, given his contract and age (he turns 30 in July).

For the Bengals (3-4 after snapping a skid), this is another gut punch. Cincinnati's reluctance for in-season deals complicates matters, but retaining a disgruntled captain risks locker-room fractures. Wilson's saga highlights a franchise in flux: talent-rich yet retention-poor. As the deadline nears, will the Bengals honor his plea for a fresh start, or double down on their rebuild? Either way, it's a pivotal moment for a player who's embodied Bengal resilience—until now.

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