Geno Atkins Trade Rumors: Bengals DT Unavailable Despite Outside Interest

It doesn't appear the Cincinnati Bengals are ready to make any more changes after the team sent disgruntled defensive end Carlos Dunlap to the Seattle Seahawks for center B.J. Finney and a 2021 seventh-round pick. 

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Thursday teams have inquired about other Bengals players ahead of the November 3 trade deadline, including defensive tackle Geno Atkins.

"In the wake of the Dunlap trade, my understanding is that teams have called the Bengals about veteran DT Geno Atkins and have been told he isn’t available," Breer wrote.

It makes sense for teams to reach out about Atkins at this point. 

The Bengals are early in their rebuild with quarterback Joe Burrow and don't appear ready to contend quite yet. Cincinnati (1-5-1) is last in the AFC North and looking at another top pick in this year's draft. Moving Atkins, 32, would allow the club to potentially get some more picks in return.

With the Georgia product under contract until 2023, the Bengals would be justified in asking for a large package to move him. 

Atkins remains one of the most durable defenders in the league entering 2020 but has struggled with injuries this season. He had previously played all 16 games each year with the exception of a nine-game 2013. He missed the first four games of the season with various ailments this year before making his debut in Week 5. 

Cincinnati has eased him back with just 49 total snaps played in three games, per Pro Football Reference. He's yet to record any tackles. 

The Bengals can prioritize his health over his production this year as the club looks to develop younger players. Should the team become ready to contend sooner than expected, it can hopefully have Atkins back at full strength and ready to contribute. 

It doesn't appear Cincinnati is willing to look at alternatives to that plan just yet.