NFL Rumors: Darren McFadden to Bengals not dead yet

Earlier in the week, it was reported that the rumors of the Cincinnati Bengals signing running back Darren McFadden were dead in the water. But as these things sometimes go, the story has apparently been breathed a little new life.

There are a myriad of reasons why this deal would not happen (cross-country move for Run-DMC, time-sharing with other running backs, salary concerns), but ESPN Bengals reporter Cole Harvey says not to call it an un-done deal just yet.

Harvey said that he couldn’t confirm reports the deal wouldn’t happen, but he did say “I do know there are some around the franchise who wouldn’t mind giving him a shot in the stripes.”

And why would it possibly still be a yes? First, McFadden’s relationship with current Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, who was his head coach in Oakland. Second, on the Bengals part, they could get McFadden on the cheap if they really wanted him (probably for a league veteran minimum salary).

If Oakland does indeed let McFadden walk as an unrestricted free agent, he’d be a good pickup for any team looking to add some depth to their backfield. Although troubled by injury problems throughout his brief career, McFadden has shown that when he’s healthy, he can be an electrifying part of an offense.

Teamed up with Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis, McFadden would make the Bengals running back corps one of the deepest in the league.

[Source: ESPN]