A dispute between linebacker Keith Rivers and the Bengals about the timing of the defender's wrist surgery reportedly simmered throughout last season and led to him filing a grievance against the team. Cincinnati was unhappy that Rivers elected to have surgery at the end of the lockout rather than earlier in the offseason. Rivers was put on the non-football injury list, but he wanted to be placed on the physically unable to perform list so he could still receive his salary. He responded by filing a grievance against the team. In the offseason, the Bengals traded Rivers to the Giants for a fifth-round draft pick, which they used to take Boise State safety George Iloka.