The Philadelphia Eagles are trading edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2027 sixth-round pick, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Bengals sport the league's best passing offense, but they now add support for a defense that has long been seen as the team's biggest weakness.
Ebiketie, 27, has 25 total tackles this season and played 48% of the snaps for the Eagles and also played on special teams.
Philadelphia has already paid half of Ebiketie's base salary and all of the $3 million signing bonus when he landed in free agency. The Bengals are on the hook to pay the remaining $650,000 in base salary on Ebiketie's deal that will void at the end of this season. He could potentially earn an additional $3 million in incentives for sacks, playtime, a Pro Bowl selection and a potential Super Bowl victory.
The Eagles (2-7) have lost seven straight games and are retooling their roster. Philadelphia already traded starters Cam Jurgens and Jordan Davis this season and have a total of 10 picks in the first two rounds over the next three years. The Eagles have shown a willingness to listen to offers for players like Ebiketie who are on expiring contracts in front of the deadline. One player expected to benefit from his departure is rookie Keyshawn James-Newby, the seventh-round pick out of New Mexico who has appeared in two games this season. He is currently on the practice squad.
Cincinnati, on the other hand, clearly has an eye on making its first playoff appearance since the 2022 season. The Bengals (6-2) have won four straight and are tied for first in the AFC North.
_ESPN's Ben Baby and Tim McManus contributed to this report._