Bengals listed as trade suitors for Zyon McCollum and Brandon Stephens

The two cornerbacks offer schematic fits in man coverage.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

What happened: Pro Football Focus identified the Cincinnati Bengals as a potential trade destination for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum and New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens. The evaluation highlighted Cincinnati's defensive system as a potential fit for the two players ahead of the trade deadline.

Why it matters: The Bengals sit at 5-2 on the season and could pursue additions to reinforce their secondary. While the franchise rarely makes midseason defensive trades, the availability of capable cornerbacks might prompt a move. Other contenders, including the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, are also considered fits for the players.

By the numbers: Stephens carries a 70.2 overall grade since the start of 2025, which ranks 14th among 40 qualified cornerbacks. McCollum has allowed an 80.4 passer rating with a 13.3 percent forced incompletion rate across four games this season, and is in the first year of a three-year, $48 million extension.

What to watch: Cincinnati evaluates its roster needs during a scheduled weekend matchup against the 0-7 Miami Dolphins.

Sources

Yahoo NFL 2026-10-11T10:59:30.788108+00:00

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