Was Joe Burrow the Driving Force Behind the Bengals’ Shock Trade?

Opinions vary around the NFL about whether or not the Bengals gave up too much in dealing the 10th overall pick for Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, but there was certainly one particular reaction that multiple executives had to the deal.

Shock as to the owner who consummated it.

Regardless of the opinions about whether Lawrence is worth a pick that high as he approaches age 29, the fact that Bengals owner Mike Brown signed off on a trade of that magnitude was entirely out of character and a huge surprise. The Bengals are notoriously frugal and draft picks – young and cheap – are currency they usually cling to. Also, Brown has gone to war over the years with players who want a raise on an existing contract, or who demanded a trade from the Bengals under those conditions, and he has been unwilling to budge in almost every case, stubborn to a fault.

Of course, the fact that quarterback Joe Burrow has been quite clearly watching every Bengals transaction quite closely, with many executives and agents around the NFL convinced this is a do-or-die season for the franchise to stave off a trade request, a prospect we signalled back in February, a trade of this nature and magnitude speaks to that.

“I still can’t (stinking) believe it,” said one long-time personnel exec. 

“It’s not the kind of thing I would ever picture him doing. I worked for Mike Brown. I know Mike Brown … I never would have guessed it.”

Is The Price Too Steep?

Several execs said they viewed the trade as more an indictment on this draft class as much as anything else. The Bengals desperately needed defensive line help, and the best edge players will be gone in the top five picks. And in particular, the defensive tackle position is quite weak, especially compared to a year ago. That definitely entered into the calculus for the Bengals.

“If you look at who they would take there – (Ohio State safety Caleb) Down, or (Ohio State receiver Carnell) Tate, I can see why he’d make the trade,” said one general manager. 

“They didn’t love the position they were in. Joe Burrow is getting closer to 30. When Lawrence brings it, he’s the best defensive tackle in the league.”

Another executive said: “Mike Brown didn’t love this draft. I get where he’s coming from.”

A truly superior interior pass rusher can do more to aid the development of young or developing edge pass rushers than anything else, which the Bengals are now banking on. Every team in the AFC North has a shaky offensive line, particularly the interior, which is another factor teams believe the Bengals considered in attacking this player and this position group.

But sending a signal to their quarterback at a critical juncture in the organizations relationship with him was always at the core of this offseason.