Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals' new TE shares expectations for 2023

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 4/17/23

The Bengals signed TE Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year deal in free agency and he has high expectations for 2023 whether or not the team decides to add another tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft.

"I'm confident in my abilities and they had a plan with me coming in. I'm here for a reason," Smith Jr. told reporters. "We're going to put the work in this offseason. That's all I can say, and we'll be ready."

Irv Smith Jr can't wait to get with Joe Burrow and learn Bengals offense pic.twitter.com/peqyxQ9afH
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) April 17, 2023

The 24-year-old has struggled to stay healthy, playing in just eight games in 2022 and missing all the 2021 season. He has 91 catches for 858 yards and nine touchdowns since being drafted by the Vikings in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

However, if Smith Jr. can stay on the field, he can be a dangerous weapon for QB Joe Burrow, who was one of the main reasons he decided to come to Cincinnati.

"For me as a tight end, I want to become one of his best friends in terms of security blanket and just being able to get open and create mismatches and make plays whenever I can," Smith Jr. added.

The Bengals are hoping Smith Jr. can help fill the void left by TE Hayden Hurst. They may still add another tight end through the draft, but it will likely be Smith Jr.'s job to lose.

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