Bengals DT McKinnley Jackson has requested either a trade or release, per Adam Schefter.
He joins a laundry list of players to have requested out over the last few years, for one reason or another. For Jackson, it appears as though playing time is the reason for his request.
The 2024 3rd round pick showed some flashes as a rookie. However, this season, he has been a healthy scratch in all but 1 game. The likes of TJ Slaton and Mike Pennel have played ahead of him, and even with Pennel having now been released, the recently claimed Jordan Jefferson also seems to be higher on the depth chart.
Jackson is clearly frustrated with his role, and at this point, his value on the trade market is minuscule, if anything at all. The young NT has potential, and on a struggling defence, the coaching staff should be giving him an opportunity to make a difference.
The Bengals honoured Pennel’s request to be released, but otherwise, very few of these types of requests have been entertained by this team. We’ll see, going forward, if anything comes of this. The Bengals have nothing to gain by getting rid of him, so we’ll see if they give in to his request, or instead try to work things out.
