Tight End Irv Smith Jr. Signs with the Cincinnati Bengals

The 24-year-old could to be the missing piece to a Lombardi Trophy hoisted in Cincinnati

Alabama Athletics

Free agent tight end Irv Smith Jr. has signed 1-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, per Peter Schrager.

Tight end Irv Smith, Jr. has agreed to a 1 year deal with the Bengals, per source. @nflnetwork @gmfb @NFLonFOX

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 28, 2023

Schrager also noted that Smith "had multiple offers and chose to play for Cincinnati over the rest because of Burrow, Chase, Higgins, and an opportunity to win," in a later tweet.

Adding Smith could be crucial to the success of one of the NFL's elite offenses.

The 50th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft suffered a torn meniscus a week before the 2021 season kicked off, sidelining him for year. In 2022, he suffered a grade 3 high ankle sprain in week 8, sidelining him for the rest of the regular season.

A fresh start on a Super Bowl caliber team like the Bengals could give him the confidence he had at Alabama, where he recorded 44 receptions for 710 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018.

On March 20, fellow Crimson Tide product running back Damien Harris signed with the Buffalo Bills. Harris' injuries held him back last season, but he joined a team where the run game was the only weakness.

One of the Bengals few weaknesses has been at the tight end position. Burrow, Chase, Higgins and running back Joe Mixon have made it to the Super Bowl before. A tight end for both blocking and receiving was one of the reasons they didn't raise the Lombardi Trophy.

Can the addition of Smith complete the Bengals missing piece? At just 24-years-old, he's entering his prime.

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