Cincinnati and Tampa Bay completed a straight player swap on…
Cincinnati and Tampa Bay completed a straight player swap on September 1, 1990: the Bengals acquired cornerback Rod Jones, while the Buccaneers received defensive end Jim Skow. Jones immediately contributed in Cincinnati's secondary and later became a regular starter, while Skow gave Tampa a veteran defensive lineman. The returns were useful but not dramatically different, supporting an Even Trade verdict.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- player Rod Jones (Roderick)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Received
- player Jim Skow
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Five days after Cincinnati's Rembert transaction, the Bengals made another player-for-player move. On September 1, 1990, they sent defensive end Jim Skow to Tampa Bay for cornerback Rod Jones. Both teams were adjusting their rosters immediately before the season, and the exchange addressed different positional needs without involving draft choices, conditions or future compensation.
What Cincinnati and Tampa Bay Received
Cincinnati received Jones, a defensive back who could contribute immediately in the secondary. Tampa Bay received Skow, an experienced defensive lineman who had already played several seasons for the Bengals. Contemporary transaction listings and Bengals historical material identify the incoming corner as Rod, or Roderick, Jones, removing the name ambiguity that can arise from older roster records.
How the Value Developed
Jones recorded 46 tackles during his first season with Cincinnati and later earned a larger role, including 14 starts in 1992. That gives the Bengals a tangible multi-season return from the swap. Skow provided Tampa Bay with veteran depth and experience, but his Buccaneers stint did not create a dramatically stronger body of work. Neither player became a star or produced enough high-end value to make the transaction lopsided.
Final Verdict
Cincinnati can claim a modest advantage in sustained use because Jones became a regular part of its secondary, but the gap is not large enough to justify a decisive winner. Tampa Bay exchanged a corner for a veteran at a position it wanted to strengthen and received legitimate NFL service in return. With no premium draft asset changing hands, equal C grades are reasonable and Even Trade remains the fairest overall judgment.