Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
- AFC North
- Stadium
- Paycor Stadium
- Head Coach
- Zac Taylor
- Offensive Coordinator
- Brian Callahan
- Defensive Coordinator
- Lou Anarumo
- Special Teams Coach
- Darrin Simmons
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
Free-agent tight end Irv Smith Jr. agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday, according to a source. Smith is a much-needed addition for the Bengals at the tight end position after they lost Hayden Hurst in free agency. Cincinnati also has Devin Asiasi, Tanner Hudson and Nick Bowers at the position. Smith should be the team's top pass-catcher at the position, but the Bengals could also add to the position in the draft. The 24-year-old former second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019 hasn't been healthy the last two years and played in just eight games for the Vikes in 2022. If he can stay on the field, Smith could be a very sneaky fantasy option at the tight end position in 2023.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Bengals "are looming large" regarding a potential deal with free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott. Cincinnati is looking to bolster its backfield, so adding the former Buckeye could be on the radar. However, it's still unknown if the Bengals plan on retaining Joe Mixon, although the team could save roughly $8 million against the cap by cutting ties with him. It's no secret the franchise wants to keep Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins moving forward. As a result, adding Elliott may be a logical approach, especially if things align from a fiscal sense. But it could also signal the end of Mixon's career in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals have had trade talks centered around left tackle Jonah Williams. A Williams trade is expected at this point after the Bengals signed left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a big deal in free agency this offseason. Williams has been Cincy's starting left tackle for the last several years, but he requested a trade earlier this offseason and is likely to have his wish granted eventually. There's a possibility that he could move to right tackle, although it's not his preference. It's hard to find a good and dependable left tackle in the NFL, so there is real interest in Williams around the league. No trade is imminent as of right now, but that could change in a hurry.
Free-agent safety Nick Scott agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 27-year-old has played his entire career with the Rams, amassing 158 total tackles and four interceptions (64 games). Los Angeles obviously wanted to keep him. However, he'll instead be playing for the team that lost to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI. With Jessie Bates III leaving for Atlanta via free agency, Cincinnati added Scott to fill the massive void. He's coming off a career year, so he should be up to the task.
Free-agent tight end Foster Moreau had a recent visit with the Bengals. The 26-year-old had played for the Raiders since the team took him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He's amassed 91 catches for 1,107 yards and 12 touchdowns during his career. However, Moreau was relegated to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Darren Waller over the years. Nevertheless, he's a former teammate of quarterback Joe Burrow, so that may improve his chances of landing in Cincinnati. With Hayden Hurst departing for Carolina, Moreau could thrive as the team's top tight end.
