With Hayden Hurst leaving, the Cincinnati Bengals desperately craved a serviceable veteran at the tight end position, and they got exactly that with Irv Smith Jr.
Notably, it may have been a no-brainer decision for the former Minnesota Viking, as Joe Burrow has fed his TEs early and often since taking his talents to the National Football League.
We have signed unrestricted free agent TE Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 30, 2023
First, it was CJ Uzomah who got the bag after his outstanding season with Burrow, signing a three-year deal worth $8 million per season.
Then, Hurst got a three-year deal worth nearly $22 million with the Carolina Panthers, so there’s definitely a positive precedent there.
Some draft experts predicted the Bengals would use their 28th overall pick to land one of the top TEs in the class, but Smith’s arrival opens up the door for a plethora of options when they’re on the clock.
Smith is faster than Hurst and proved to be a solid playmaker when given the opportunity.
He’s just 24 years old and was quite impressive in his rookie season, logging 36 receptions before suffering multiple injuries.
Of course, durability will be a concern for a player who’s missed plenty of time since entering the league, but the upside is most definitely there.
Coming out of Alabama and then sharing the field with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, Smith is no stranger to being surrounded by playmakers and top-notch talents in the receiving corps.
So, with the Bengals’ plethora of options in the passing game, you better expect Burrow to have yet another MVP-caliber season in 2023.
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