So we heard ESPN’s Merrill Hoge claim earlier in the day that, based on discussions with the Cincinnati Bengals, he believes that the Bengals would only trade receiver Chad Johnson if someone gives up two first-round picks and an established player.  And the Bengals would want $5 million back from Johnson in previously-paid bonus money. 

Hoge also declares that the Bengals would also be forced to cut running back Rudi Johnson if such a deal is done.

Huh? 

We’ll assume for now that Hoge has had another concussion.  If not, where in the heck did Hoge get the idea that the Bengals would be compelled to cut Johnson?  As we’ve previously explained, the $8 million in dead money that the Bengals would be carrying after a pre-June 1 trade would be offset by Johnson’s $3 million base salary, resulting in a net hit of $5 million in 2008.

The easy way to clear the money arising from the Johnson cap hit would be to reduce quarterback Carson Palmer’s base salary from $7.75 million to the veteran minimum by paying him a big chunk of it right now as a guaranteed amount, which then would be prorated over time. 

Paying Palmer $7 million right now and spreading it over five years would clear up $5.6 million in 2008 cap room.  And that would be more than enough to cover the net cap hit from trading Johnson.

Bottom line — if the Bengals wanted to move Johnson, they could do it without cutting a single veteran.  The truth is they don’t want to trade him, and the only way it happens today is if president Mike Brown takes a Hoge-style hit to the head.