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Bengals: Thaddeus Moss could be the team’s No. 1 tight end in 2021

By Leigh Oleszczak

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers reacts after scoring a touchdown against Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Thaddeus Moss #81 of the LSU Tigers reacts after scoring a touchdown against Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t upgrade their tight end position much this offseason but they did make a sneaky acquisition back in April by claiming Thaddeus Moss off of waivers.

At first glance, this move didn’t seem like much. Some might not have even known who Moss was until they researched him. The first thing that stands out about him is that he’s Randy Moss’ son, which is exciting enough to think about, but then — and the more important aspect here — it was put together that Moss played with Joe Burrow at LSU during his prolific 2019 season.

Moss hasn’t had the NFL career that his father did and probably won’t, but there’s a solid chance that he makes a name for himself in Cincinnati this year. The Bengals’ tight end situation isn’t great with Drew Sample and C.J. Uzomah leading the charge, and Moss has former ties to Burrow. Things could definitely play out in his favor.

The Bengals need a No. 1 tight end and that could be Thaddeus Moss.

Moss and Burrow had a good connection in 2019 with Moss hauling in 47 receptions for 570 yards and four touchdowns during LSU’s National Championship season. After Moss went undrafted in 2020, he signed as a UDFA with Washington and never found his way onto the field.

Now, Moss has a chance for a fresh start in Cincinnati. He’s reunited with his college quarterback and doesn’t have much competition at his position, which bodes well for him to make a splash this summer.

Looking at the rest of the Bengals’ tight end depth chart, Sample and Uzomah are locks to make the team but Moss could easily sneak in there as well and pass those guys. Sample had just 349 yards and a touchdown last year while Uzomah only played in two games due to injury.

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There’s absolutely a chance that Moss hits the ground running with the Bengals. There’s a reason the team claimed him and wanted him to be a part of this team and hopefully, he and Burrow can reestablish the connection they had in Baton Rouge.

If so, the Bengals will be looking at a better situation at tight end moving forward.