Zac Taylor Speaks for Duke Tobin on Failed Ebiketie Trade: 'I'm Not Comfortable Doing It'

The Bengals put their head coach in front of the cameras Wednesday to explain the trade they backed out of at the deadline, and Zac Taylor made clear he wasn't thrilled to be the messenger.

Taylor said director of player personnel Duke Tobin, who runs Cincinnati's front office, told him exactly how he wanted the collapsed Arnold Ebiketie trade explained, and that Tobin was apologizing to the Eagles for how it ended.

"Obviously, we tried something yesterday," Taylor said. "Duke was very explicit with me when he came and spoke to me about how he wanted this portrayed. I'm not comfortable doing it, but I'm going to do what he asked. We did make an effort to put some depth in there in place of Cashius. As we got into it, it was going to be more costly than we initially anticipated. He's really apologetic about it and wants it made clear. Philly was a great trade partner. It was on our end."

Taylor added that the team has "a ton of confidence" in its front office, crediting it with the players who have the Bengals at 6-2.

Cincinnati had agreed Tuesday to send a 2027 sixth-round pick to Philadelphia for the edge rusher, then called the deal off before it became official. Completing it would have cost the Bengals the third-round compensatory pick they are projected to receive after Trey Hendrickson signed with the Ravens. That is the "more costly" part Taylor referenced; the sixth-rounder itself was never the issue. Taylor did not get into how the club came to that realization after agreeing to terms.

The depth need hasn't gone away. Cincinnati wanted Ebiketie after rookie edge rusher Cashius Howell had wrist surgery, and the Bengals host the division-rival Steelers on Sunday night without any outside help on the edge. Ebiketie, who has 16.5 career sacks, stays with the 2-7 Eagles, who are on their bye this week.