Training camp is just around the corner for the Cincinnati Bengals and their roster could use some fine-tuning for sure. There are three free agents still waiting to sign with a team who all have previously spent time with the Bengals.
Now, just because they have ties to the Bengals doesn’t mean they’re necessarily a good fit or make sense with the 2021 Bengals but these are all positions that could use some veteran depth. If the Bengals are looking to add an experienced player prior to training camp, these free agents’ previous tenures in Cincy might make them worth a look.
Let’s kick the list off with one of the better Bengals players over the last decade.
Free Agents with Bengals Connections – No. 3: Geno Atkins
For 11 years, Geno Atkins wreaked havoc for the Bengals but the Atkins-era came to an end this offseason when the two sides finally parted ways. Atkins, who turned 33 years old in March, is still waiting to find a home for the 2021 season and while the Bengals don’t appear to be in the mix, at this point, what does either side have to lose by continuing on together?
Cincinnati did sign former Browns defender Larry Ogunjobi and also kept Mike Daniels in town, which wouldn’t leave much for Atkins to do. Last season, however, Atkins wasn’t able to find his way onto the field due to injury so it’s not surprising that he’s still waiting for a team.
The Bengals made defensive line a heavy focal point this offseason so it’s doubtful that Atkins is brought in, but out of all of the free agents, his connection to the Bengals is the strongest.
Free Agents with Bengals Connections – No. 2: Tyler Eifert
After getting selected in the first-round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Bengals, Tyler Eifert spent the next seven years with them but his legacy will be that he couldn’t stay healthy. That’s not exactly a great legacy but Eifert is still someone who could fill a role with this team, as the tight end position could use an experienced veteran.
During his seven seasons with the Bengals, Eifert never was the first-round talent the team was hoping for when they made him the No. 21 overall pick but he wouldn’t be asked to do that if he was reunited with his former team. Instead, Eifert would be a veteran piece behind Drew Sample and C.J. Uzomah and wouldn’t be expected to be on the field much.
Eifert spent the 2020 season with the Jaguars where he appeared in 15 games, starting four of those, and finished the season with 36 receptions for 349 yards and two touchdowns. Putting up these kind of numbers would be fine if the Bengals re-signed Eifert, as Sample is going to be the TE1 in the offense.
Bringing Eifert back wouldn’t be the most popular move but he spent seven years with the organization and that could be reason enough for him to find his way back to the Queen City.
Free Agents with Bengals Connections – No. 1: Josh Bynes
Surprisingly, Josh Bynes is still sitting on the free agent market, waiting for a team to play for in 2021. He spent the 2020 season with the Bengals and had 99 tackles and one sack while appearing in all 16 regular season games.
Stripe Hype’s Jack Lane listed Bynes as a free agent the Bengals could look to sign for the minimum and had this to say as to why this move would make sense:
"The Bengals, then, should find more value in Bynes than most teams, knowing how useful that leadership was for the defense last season. Bynes will not cost the team dearly, as he signed for just $1.6 million last season and would likely not cost any more than that this season, given that he remains unsigned."
Lane is right with his assessment.
Bynes would be affordable and is familar with the Bengals’ defensive scheme. They didn’t do anything to improve the linebacker position this offseason and plan to roll with Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, and Akeem Davis-Gaither as their starters and while Bynes isn’t a superstar, he offers experience.
Bynes might have only spent one year with the Bengals but out of the free agents who have ties to the organization, he’d make the most sense to reunite with.
It’s unlikely that the Bengals sign Atkins or Eifert but a reunion with Bynes isn’t out of the question, or at least it shouldn’t be. Bynes offered consistency to the defense last year and with the linebacker position not being addressed at all, this move is one Bengals fans would be fine with the team making.