Former Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. Signing With Cincinnati Bengals
Former Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. is signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Peter Schrager. He'll look to revive his career with a change of scenery by earning a role on one of the league's best offenses.
Smith, the Vikings' second-round pick out of Alabama in 2019, is still just 24 years old after the completion of his rookie contract. He turns 25 in August. It was an up-and-down four-year tenure in Minnesota for Smith, whose best football could still be in front of him.
Drafted in the second round because of his combination of size and athleticism, Smith showed flashes of an ability to be a matchup problem during his time with the Vikings. He spent his first two seasons as the team's No. 2 tight end behind Kyle Rudolph, putting up at least 30 catches and 300 yards in both seasons, with seven total touchdowns. Right when Smith appeared to be on track for a breakout 2021 campaign — he had a fantastic training camp — he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Smith returned from the injury in 2022 but couldn't put together a breakout campaign, struggling with some drops and recording a 22-168-2 line in the first seven games of the year. Then he got injured again, suffering a high ankle sprain that prompted the Vikings to trade for T.J. Hockenson, who is now clearly established as their top tight end after a huge second half. Smith returned before the season ended and even caught a touchdown pass in Minnesota's playoff loss, but he was never going to be brought back in 2023. The Vikings recently signed blocker extraordinaire Josh Oliver to pair with Hockenson at TE.
Smith could have a good opportunity to earn a role in Cincinnati after the departure of Hayden Hurst. He'll be competing with players like Devin Asiasi and Tanner Hudson for snaps at tight end with the Bengals. If Smith can stay healthy and be reliable with his hands, he has the athleticism to become a factor for a loaded Bengals offense alongside Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon.
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