Chad Johnson Rumors: Bengals, Redskins Talking Trade

Rumors have fluttered around the league of a possible attempt by the Washington Redskins to inquire Chad Johnson from the Cincinnati Bengals.

Johnson's agent did not deny these claims, and Johnson seems eager for a contract in Washington.

Problem is, if Johnson were to be traded before the first of June, the Bengals would take an $8.03 million salary-cap hit.

The head coach of the Bengals, Marvin Lewis, says the club won't even think about discussing trading Johnson.

However, the Washington Post reported that owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder, said that the team's number one priority is to acquire an elite receiver—and Chad Johnson certainly fits the bill.

But what would a trade mean for both teams?

That is something no one knows for sure, because nobody knows what the Redskins are willing to put up for Johnson. But the Redskins would certainly have a lot more versatility on offense.  Johnson would put young quarterback Jason Campbell's arm to the test.

Defenses would certainly have to worry about facing the same Redskins team that sprang to life in December with the addition of Johnson—assuming the same Redskins  show up to play without Joe Gibbs coaching.

But what about Cincinnati?

The loss of their top receiver would definitely hurt the offense. No longer would Carlson Palmer wield the dual weapons that are Chad Johnson and  T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Defenses would be able to key in on the mouthful of a receiver Houshmandzadeh.

This certainly wouldn't do the Bengals any favors coming off of a 7-9 season.

If your a Redskins fan, this looks promising.

As for Bengals fans—as far as you're concerned, this isn't going to happen.