The Bengals picked up Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard in the off season, making Rivers expendable for the right price. Rivers was the No. 9 overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft. He has 186 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in three seasons with Cincinnati.
Rivers spent the past season on the sidelines with a wrist injury, and has yet to play a full 16-game slate. The Giants were looking to upgrade their speed and playmaking in the linebacking corps, however, and by all accounts Rivers fits the bill.
The Giants are finalizing details on a trade with the Bengals for linebacker Keith Rivers, according to someone informed of the progress of talks. The person requested anonymity because final details are still being worked out.
"It's going to happen," the person wrote in an email.
The Bengals brought in Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard this offseason, meaning Rivers' spot on the roster wasn't necessarily safe. The compensation isn't yet clear, but the Bengals don't have a major need for Rivers on the roster so it's probably not much more than a mid-round draft pick. It's not exactly clear where Rivers will play. He's been on the outside in his career but the Giants could move him inside with their current personnel.
The Cincinnati Bengals could be working on a deal to send Keith Rivers to the New York Giants. The linebacker is a former Bengals first-round selection.
