Carlos Dunlap won’t be coming in on Wednesday. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bengals have told the veteran pass-rusher to stay home until further notice while the team sorts out his future ahead of next week’s November 3rd trade deadline.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Dunlap has seen his role scaled back dramatically in recent weeks (undrafted Oklahoma product Amani Bledsoe has usurped him as a starter) while feuding with coaches including defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who he had a heated altercation with in Week 7. Dunlap, who arrived in Cincinnati as a second-round pick in 2010, further expressed his angst by listing his 6,000-square-foot house for sale shortly after Sunday’s loss to Cleveland.
The 6’6” defender has been a fixture in Cincinnati for over a decade, hailing as the franchise’s all-time leader in both sacks (82.5) and forced fumbles (20). Coming off a reasonably productive 2019—the nine sacks Dunlap tallied were his most since 2015—the 31-year-old should benefit from a change of scenery after seemingly wearing out his welcome in Cincinnati. With Dunlap’s fractured relationship with the Bengals looking beyond repair, a Day-3 pick (Rounds 4-7) is probably the best Cincy could hope for in return. Dunlap, who now refers to himself as "Employee 96" on Instagram, is due a hefty $10.25-million base salary in 2021, the final season of his current, three-year, $40.65-million contract.
Locker room tension has been an obstacle for the Bengals all season with similarly disgruntled A.J. Green also making his frustration known by mouthing “trade me” during a game earlier this month.
Update: In the words of Ron Burgundy, that escalated quickly:
Assuming he minds his Ps and Qs in Seattle, Dunlap should be a good get for the Seahawks, who were desperate for pass-rushing help. Their nine sacks are sixth-fewest in the NFL.
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