The Bengals back out of an Arnold Ebiketie trade over a compensatory pick they would have lost

The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to trade for Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie on Tuesday morning and are now expected to back out, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport first reported the deal, with the Eagles sending Ebiketie to Cincinnati for a 2027 sixth-round pick. A few hours later, Schefter reported the Bengals would walk away because the trade would also have cost them a third-round compensatory pick.

The hidden cost

Cincinnati is in line for a 2027 compensatory third-round pick, largely because Trey Hendrickson signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, ESPN's Ben Baby reported. According to OverTheCap.com, taking on Ebiketie would have wiped that pick out. Once that came to light, the deal was rescinded.

That is a third-round pick on top of a sixth for a player whose contract voids after this season. Philadelphia had already paid half of Ebiketie's base salary and his full $3 million signing bonus, ESPN reported, leaving about $650,000 for the Bengals.

Why Cincinnati was shopping

The Bengals wanted pass-rush help after rookie Cashius Howell went on injured reserve with a right wrist injury from Week 8. Howell had one sack, five quarterback hits and a 15.3% pressure rate in seven games. Ebiketie, 27, has 25 tackles and two quarterback hits in nine games for the Eagles, with a 4.6% pressure rate.

Cincinnati is 6-2, has won four straight and is tied for first in the AFC North. The Eagles are 2-7 and have already traded center Cam Jurgens and defensive tackle Jordan Davis this season. The deadline is 4 p.m. ET.

The Bengals host Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.