Cincinnati Bengals–Denver Broncos Trade History

Cincinnati Bengals received Andre White / Bozo White. Cincinnati received Andre White, whose Bengals contribution was limited to three games and two receptions for 18 yards. Hollomon's two Broncos seasons created substantially more direct value than White's brief Bengals stint, making Denver the clear winner. That outcome supports a D grade for Cincinnati Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals received Eric Crabtree in the 1969-06-30 exchange with Denver Broncos. Crabtree immediately became a major Cincinnati target, catching 40 passes for 855 yards and seven touchdowns in 1969 before adding more production afterward. Against Denver Broncos' return of Tom Smiley, that outcome supports a A- grade. The transaction is judged Cincinnati Bengals Win, with the mark tied to the football value that actually followed from the deal.

Denver acquired safety Bernard Jackson from Cincinnati for 1978 third- and seventh-round selections. Jackson became a multi-year Broncos starter, appearing in 46 games with 42 starts during his Denver tenure. Cincinnati used the third-rounder on Don Bass, who developed into a productive receiver, while the seventh-rounder became Danny Bass. Both sides gained value, but Denver's starting defensive return earns a narrow edge.

Denver acquired the rights to unsigned first-round linebacker Ricky Hunley from Cincinnati on October 9, 1984 for a package of future draft choices. Hunley became a useful Broncos starter, but Cincinnati’s return was enormous: the picks ultimately produced wide receiver Tim McGee and three-time Pro Bowl safety David Fulcher, plus another selection. The Bengals created far more long-term value.

Cincinnati moved down from No. 17 to No. 24 in the 2004 draft and added cornerback Deltha O'Neal plus the 117th pick, while Denver moved up for linebacker D.J. Williams. Williams became a long-term Broncos starter, but Cincinnati received a Pro Bowl season from O'Neal, 11 years from Robert Geathers, and additional value by later moving pick No. 24. The Bengals' broader package wins a strong trade for both sides.

Denver traded picks No. 52, No. 125 and No. 182 to Cincinnati to move up to No. 42 for quarterback Drew Lock. Lock started 21 games for the Broncos but never secured the franchise job and later became part of the Russell Wilson trade. Cincinnati turned the return into Drew Sample, Renell Wren and Trayveon Williams, getting longer aggregate service despite no star outcome.

Cincinnati acquired defensive lineman Christian Covington from Denver for linebacker Austin Calitro on September 4, 2020. The trade contained no picks, cash, or additional players. Covington gave the Bengals a more useful short-term defensive return than Denver received from Calitro, creating a clear but limited Cincinnati edge in a low-cost swap between depth players.