The Cincinnati Bengals claimed defensive end Takk McKinley off waivers Wednesday.
McKinley had been waived by the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday after he called out the team for failing to trade him at the trading deadline.
Tikk-Takk-Toe
We’ve acquired DE @Takk McKinley on waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 11, 2020
McKinley had expressed his desire to be traded before the trade deadline and took to Twitter to say the Falcons turned down fifth- and sixth-round draft pick offers from multiple teams despite his request to be traded.
The fourth-year veteran also said that he requested a trade last year but Atlanta turned down a second-round pick offer for him then. For extra measure, he included clown emojis in his tweet.
Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris then said McKinley would be held accountable for criticizing the team on social media.
The 2017 first-round pick has been disappointing, totaling only 17.5 sacks in 49 career games.
McKinley, 25, was sidelined the past two games because of a groin injury and illness. He has played just 81 snaps and has only one sack in four games this season.
The Falcons had earlier declined to pick up McKinley’s fifth-year option, which carried a $10.3 million price tag.