Stay or go: Projecting the Bengals top upcoming 2023 free agents

Bengals could take another bite of the Apple

Eli Apple ultimately repaid defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s trust during the 2021 season. At what could have been a position of weakness, Apple ably manned one of the outside corner spots. It was one of the more surprising aspects of the Bengals’ Super Bowl run.

Apple somewhat encapsulated the underdog mentality of the team last year. Unable to make it work at other stops, the former first-rounder spent the season using former fans’ jibes to stoke his fire. While Apple cannot be considered an elite corner, he understood his role and performed above expectation.

Apple somewhat encapsulated the underdog mentality of the team last year. Unable to make it work at other stops, the former first-rounder spent the season using former fans’ jibes to stoke his fire. While Apple cannot be considered an elite corner, he understood his role and performed above expectation.

It should be an intriguing camp battle between the pair. The hope is that it fuels Apple to step up and maintain his level of play while also realizing that Taylor-Britt is the future for the position. Other teams will likely be hesitant to invest in Apple considering his failures at other teams; therefore, the Bengals could view him as a depth piece past this year.

Verdict: Apple starts this year and the Bengals retain him for a couple of years at a reasonable price to be fourth choice corner and spot starter.