Bengals Re-Sign TE Tyler Eifert
Tyler Eifert is sticking in Cincy. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (via Twitter) that the tight end is signing a one-year deal with the Bengals.
The 2013 first-round pick has spent his entire six-year career with the Bengals, and he’s been productive… when healthy. Eifert has only appeared in 13 or more games twice in his career, and he’s totaled only 14 contests over the past three years. The 28-year-old missed the majority of the 2017 season after undergoing both back and knee surgery, and a broken ankle limited him to only four games in 2018.
When Eifert’s been healthy, he’s been especially productive in the red zone. He had a breakout season in 2015 when he had 615 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. He was even productive in his four games in 2018, hauling in 15 receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown. If the tight end is able to stay on the field, he’ll provide Andy Dalton with another target; the Bengals’ offense currently features running backs Joe Mixon and Giovani Bernard as well as wideouts A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, and John Ross.
Besides Eifert, the Bengals currently have five tight ends on their roster. This grouping includes former fifth-rounder C.J. Uzomah, who finished last season with 43 receptions for 439 yards and three scores.
Bengals Hosting DE Vinny Curry
Vinny Curry is set for his first free agent meeting. Geoff Mosher of 97.3 ESPN in South Jersey reports (via Twitter) that the veteran defensive end is set to meet with the Bengals on Monday.
The 30-year-old signed a long-term deal with the Buccaneers last offseason, but the team cut him in early February. The former Eagles starter appeared in 12 games (seven starts) with Tampa Bay last season, compiling 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and five tackles for loss.
While these numbers don’t jump off the page, Curry proved he was a capable starter in 2017. He surely won’t be able to receive a contract that approaches the three-year, $23MM deal he signed with the Bucs last offseason. However, pass rushers are always in demand, so Curry may be able to settle for a (relatively) big-money, short-term deal.
The Bengals aren’t hurting for defensive ends, with Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard slotted in as starters. However, if Curry signs with Cincy, he’ll be able to compete with the likes of Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis for backup reps.
Danny Shelton Met With Bengals
Former first-round pick Danny Shelton met with the Bengals recently, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter).
Shelton is a first-time free agent, hitting the market after the Patriots in 2018 declined to pick up his fifth-year option. He played well in a part-time capacity this past season, grading as Pro Football Focus’ No. 27 overall interior defender. But Shelton was also a healthy scratch for multiple Pats games, clouding his appeal on the market.
A better run defender than pass rusher, the 6’2″, 345-pound Shelton played on roughly a third of New England’s defensive snaps a year ago, the lowest playing time percentage of his career. In 13 games, Shelton 21 tackles (one for loss) and one quarterback hit. The Patriots originally acquired Shelton and a fifth-round pick from the Browns in exchange for a third-round selection in March 2018.
Cincinnati’s entire defense was a mess last season, and the Bengals couldn’t stop anyone on the ground, ranking 30th in Football Outsiders‘ adjusted line yards. Shelton could potentially help in that capacity, although his playing time would likely come at the expense of promising fourth-year nose tackle Andrew Billings.
Contract Details: Williams, Webb, Verrett
Here are the latest particulars in recently agreed-upon contracts, courtesy of the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson (unless otherwise noted).
- Tyrell Williams, WR (Raiders): Four years, $44.3MM. $22MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Wilson).
- B.W. Webb, CB (Bengals): Two years, $10.5MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Jeff Heuerman, TE (Broncos): Two years, $9MM. $2MM fully guaranteed, per Mike Klis of 9News.
- Mike Davis, RB (Bears): Two years, $6MM. $3MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
- D.J. Fluker, OL (Seahawks): Two years, $6MM. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Jason Verrett, CB (49ers): One year, $3.6MM. $1MM guaranteed. $400K signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Markus Golden, OLB (Giants): One year, $3.75MM. $2.25MM guaranteed (Twitter link).
- Brian Poole, CB (Jets): One year, $2MM. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link).
- Marcedes Lewis, TE (Packers): One year, $2.1MM. $500K signing bonus, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
- Bruce Ellington, WR (Patriots): One year, $895K. $25K signing bonus (via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, on Twitter).
Bengals To Sign G John Miller
John Miller is heading to Cincinnati. The Bengals will sign the free agent guard to a three-year, $16.5MM deal, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Miller, a third-round pick in 2015, started 47 games over the last four years with Buffalo, including all 15 of his games last year. By signing Miller, the Bengals have upgraded an O-line that will return right tackle Bobby Hart.
Miller has only played at right guard in his professional career, a position that Alex Redmond held down in 2018 for Cincinnati. Redmond, a former UDFA, performed decently, but he was hardly a world-beater, and the same can be said for left guard Clint Boling. At the very least, Miller will provide young, experienced depth.
For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics preferred Miller to Redmond last year. Miller was demoted in favor of Vlad Ducasse during the 2017 season, but he regained his starting job in 2018, and he may have done enough to land a modest multi-year pact.
One year ago, the Bills traded left tackle Cordy Glenn to the Bengals. Now, Miller will reunite with his former line mate in Cincinnati.
Bengals Sign CB B.W. Webb
Cornerback B.W. Webb has signed with the Bengals, according to Dianna Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Bengals confirmed the news and announced that it is a three-year deal. It’s believed to be worth up to $13MM, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.
By signing with Cincinnati, he rejoins new Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, his defensive backs coach with the Giants last year. The deal brings Webb to his sixth team in six years and gives the Bengals an option at slot cornerback. He also has experience in the slot, so he could potentially replace free agent Darqueze Dennard.
Webb, 29 in May, appeared in all 16 games for the Giants last season, including 13 starts. He finished out with 59 total stops, one tackle, one forced fumble, and six passes defensed. Webb graded out as the No. 77 ranked corner in the NFL with a career-best 62.6 overall score. He wasn’t an elite CB, but the advanced metrics dropped him in the same neighborhood as Morris Claiborne, Marcus Peters, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Jimmy Smith.
Bengals To Meet With John Miller
Guard John Miller will visit with the Bengals on Thursday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). To date, Miller has spent all four years of his pro career with the Bills. 
Miller, a third-round pick in 2015, has started 47 games over the last four years with Buffalo, including all 15 of his games last year. The Bengals could stand to upgrade their O-line even after re-signing right tackle Bobby Hart, so Miller could help them solidify the unit.
Miller has only played at right guard in his professional career, a position that Alex Redmond held down in 2018 for Cincinnati. Redmond, a former UDFA, performed decently, but he was hardly a world-beater, and the same can be said for left guard Clint Boling. At the very least, Miller would provide young, experienced depth.
For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics preferred Miller to Redmond last year. Miller was demoted in favor of Vlad Ducasse during the 2017 season, but he regained his starting job in 2018, and he may have done enough to land a modest multi-year pact.
One year ago, the Bills traded left tackle Cordy Glenn to the Bengals, and Miller could soon reunite with his former line mate in Cincinnati.
Shaquil Barrett To Visit Bengals
The Bengals are looking for pass-rushing help. Cincinnati is hosting outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett on a visit later today, a source told Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com. 
Barrett is testing the open market for the first time since entering the league as an undrafted free agent back in 2014. He signed with the Broncs originally, and has spent the last five years in Denver. The last we heard was that the Broncos “have had good conversations” with Barrett’s agent, so it certainly seems like he isn’t ruling out a return to Denver.
But Barrett has made it clear he’s looking for more playing time, and he might be able to find it in Cincinnati. At the end of last season, Barrett publicly declared he wanted to be a full-time starter in 2019.
“I want to start. I want to be a guy somewhere. I don’t want to just be a role player,” Barrett said. “I can’t do it. … Reserve role is done for me, unless that’s the only role I got after this year. But that’s not what I’m looking for going into free agency,” Barrett said at the time.
Barrett spent his rookie season on the Broncos’ practice squad, then burst onto the scene in 2015 with 5.5 sacks. He hasn’t been able to replicate that production since, mostly due to lack of playing time, but the Broncos thought highly enough of him to put a second round tender on him last offseason. With the Broncos’ staple of pass-rushers, Barrett was never going to be an every down player in Denver. Last year Barrett played right around 25% of the defensive snaps, and was also a key player on special teams.
Brian Poole To Visit Bengals
Former Falcons cornerback Brian Poole is garnering some interest on the open market. We learned earlier today that he will visit the Jets, and he has a summit with the Bengals lined up after that, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Poole had been the Falcons’ primary nickel cornerback for the past three seasons, but Atlanta decided against tendering him as a restricted free agent, even at the low-level tender. In 2018, he set new career highs in tackles (74), sacks (3.0), and interceptions (3), which made the club’s decision to non-tender him something of a surprise.
On the other hand, he ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every advanced corner metric, so the Falcons may feel that they won’t be missing much. The team as a whole ranked near the bottom of the league in passing defense, so it will look to infuse the unit with some fresh blood.
The Bengals, meanwhile, could be looking for a replacement for Darqueze Dennard, whom the club is willing to re-sign, but only if the price is right.
DB Notes: Berry, Dennard, Poole, Jets
Let’s take a look at the latest on the free agent defensive back market:
- After being released by the Chiefs, safety Eric Berry has no plans to retire, tweets Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports. Although he’s just 30 years old, Berry has only appeared in three games over the past two seasons while dealing with an Achilles injury, so it’s fair to wonder about his future. In five of his nine pro campaigns, Berry has failed to play in more than five games. Still, he’s been a highly effective player when on the field, so he should find a market, even if it means accepting a one-year deal.
- The Bengals are willing to retain slot cornerback Darqueze Dennard, but it must be at their teams, as Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. Cincinnati is comfortable offering Dennard a multi-year deal at around $8.5MM, the same rate at which he was paid in 2018 under the terms of his fifth-year option. That’s largely in line with the going rate for slot corners this offseason. Justin Coleman received $9MM annually from the Lions, while the top slot CB — former Bear Bryce Callahan — has yet to sign.
- Free agent cornerback Brian Poole has a meeting lined up with the Jets, reports Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Poole has plenty of experience, as he played on at least 60% of the Falcons’ defensive snaps in each of the past three season. Despite that, Atlanta chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent, largely because he ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every advanced corner metric. New York is searching for a slot replacement after Buster Skrine signed with the Bears.