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.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Bengals injury news going into Jets week, Cincinnati Bearcats football ahead of Saturday's matchup with Baylor, Russell Wilson clapping back at Season Payton and NBA season predictions with surprising championship pick.

The Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) host the winless New York Jets (0-7) on Sunday, October 26, at Paycor Stadium, a matchup ripe for a Bengals bounce-back. Without star QB Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, veteran Joe Flacco has stepped in admirably, torching the Pittsburgh Steelers for 342 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling 33-31 upset last Thursday. Flacco's poise has unlocked Cincinnati's explosive offense, led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, who combined for 12 catches and 180 yards against Pittsburgh. The Bengals' aerial attack ranks top-10 in yards per game, and with a stout home defense allowing just 20 points per contest at Paycor, expect them to exploit New York's porous secondary.

The Jets, meanwhile, are in freefall, mired in QB chaos after benching Justin Fields for Tyrod Taylor, who mustered a measly six points in a 13-6 loss to Carolina. Their offense ranks dead last in passing (143 yards/game) and has failed to score a touchdown in eight quarters, scoring a league-worst 15.7 points per game. Despite elite corner Sauce Gardner's All-Pro play, New York's run game sputters (3.8 yards/carry), and injuries to key receivers like Garrett Wilson (questionable, concussion) compound the misery. Defensively, they've forced turnovers but can't stop the run, yielding 120 yards per game.

Odds favor Cincinnati by 6.5 points (O/U 44.5), with experts projecting a 27-17 Bengals win—Flacco's stability versus the Jets' disarray tips the scales. A Bengals victory could vault them toward playoff contention; for New York, it's do-or-die to avoid infamy as the season's biggest bust.

No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1, 4-0 Big 12) welcome the Baylor Bears (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday, October 25, at Nippert Stadium for homecoming, a pivotal Big 12 tilt broadcast on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET. The Bearcats, tied atop the conference with BYU, ride a six-game win streak after dismantling Oklahoma State 49-17 last week. QB Brendan Sorsby dazzled with 270 passing yards, three TDs, and a rushing score, fueling an offense averaging 37.9 points (15th nationally). Cincinnati's ground game hums at 6.1 yards per carry (5th in FBS), with Evan Pryor and Xaviah Bussey gashing defenses, while their red-zone efficiency is unmatched (100% scoring rate). Defensively, they rank top-25 in points allowed (18.3/game), primed to stifle Baylor's leaky backfield.

Baylor arrives off a frustrating 42-36 road loss at TCU, where QB Sawyer Robertson threw for 318 yards but three picks in a 31.4 points-allowed nightmare (118th nationally). The Bears' pass-heavy attack (36.3 points/game, 25th) boasts big-play potential—Ashtyn Hawkins snared seven catches for 95 yards last out—but their secondary crumbles, yielding 227 passing yards per game. Road warriors at 2-1, Baylor's 4.4 yards allowed per rush invites Cincinnati's balanced blitz.

Bearcats are 3.5-point favorites (O/U 67.5), with models giving them a 57-43 edge in a projected 35-28 shootout. Nippert's raucous crowd (undefeated at home) and Sorsby's hot hand should extend UC's streak, solidifying their championship pedigree in Year 4 of the Big 12 era.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss Bengals trade rumors from ESPN on Logan Wilson, Cam Taylor-Britt and Trey Hendrickson, Casey McCollister joins us to discuss the state of the Bengals organization, top Billy Napier replacements at Florida and Stone's CFB Top 10 entering Week 9.

As the 2025 NFL trade deadline approaches on November 4, the Cincinnati Bengals find themselves at a crossroads, potentially shifting from contenders to rebuilders amid a disappointing season. With a 3-5 record following their recent Thursday Night Football win, speculation swirls around key defensive players: cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, linebacker Logan Wilson, and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. Rumors suggest the Bengals could be open to deals if losses mount, prioritizing cap flexibility for extensions like Ja'Marr Chase's while addressing defensive inconsistencies.

Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals' star pass rusher with 12 sacks last season, tops most trade candidate lists. At 30, he's requested a trade multiple times since 2024, citing contract frustrations despite his $15 million base salary in 2025. The Bengals have granted permission to seek deals, initially demanding a 2026 first-round pick plus a player, but recent reports indicate they've softened to a young contributor and a mid-round selection. Interested teams include the Eagles, Colts, Cowboys, 49ers, Panthers, and Bears, with fan proposals envisioning swaps like Hendrickson to Philadelphia for Dallas Goedert and assets. His departure would leave a massive hole opposite Sam Hubbard, but could net draft capital for a reset.

Linebacker Logan Wilson, a steady tackler with 135 stops in 2024, has drawn quieter buzz. Recently benched for rookie Barrett Carter in Week 6, his role has sparked trade chatter. ESPN's Matt Bowen ranks him as a mid-tier candidate, noting his $6 million 2026 base makes him affordable for contenders like the Colts, who need linebacker depth. Hypothetical packages bundle him with others, such as a Colts deal for Wilson, Taylor-Britt, and Hendrickson in exchange for multiple picks.

Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, a 2022 second-rounder known for his ball-hawking (four interceptions last year), appears in speculative trades as a high-upside piece. Ranked No. 20 on trade lists, he's eyed by teams like the Cowboys in mocks involving CeeDee Lamb or Trevon Diggs swaps. The Eagles and others view him as a gamble amid Bengals' secondary woes, especially with his recent absence due to injury

While Hendrickson's rumors dominate, Wilson and Taylor-Britt's inclusion hints at a potential fire sale if Cincinnati falters against the Jets and Bears. Bengals brass remains noncommittal, but ownership's history of frugality fuels the speculation. A trade spree could reshape the AFC North, but for now, it's all whispers until deadline day.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

#Bengals #NFL #TheStoneShieldsShow