Ex-Vikings TE Joins a Super Bowl Contender

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

For a little while, it’s been evident that Irv Smith Jr. isn’t in Minnesota’s long-term plans. A 2019 2nd-round selection, Smith has always oozed upside but has seldom been able to fulfill that potential on the field.

Per Peter Schrager, the ex-Vikings TE will be joining forces with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati: “Tight end Irv Smith, Jr. has agreed to a 1 year deal with the Bengals, per source.” Joining the Bengals makes a ton of sense, for a variety of reasons.

The foremost reason is that Smith will get to catch passes from Burrow, an undisputed elite NFL QB. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase – a sensational receiver tandem – will demand a ton of attention. In theory, the speedy TE should be able to find room to operate.

Forced to guess, I’d say Smith had to accept a relatively modest contract. A 1-year, prove-it deal is quite plausible. Thriving with the Bengals would then allow Smith to head back into free agency, operating from a position of strength. Currently, he’s navigating the second wave of free agency after tumbling down Minnesota’s depth chart due to ailment and ineffectiveness. A strong year would (likely) allow him to command more next offseason when he’ll only be 25.

Oct 18, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports.

Perhaps the main culprit in Smith falling short is health, or lack thereof. Over these past couple seasons, Smith has missed significant time: the entire 2021 season and more than half of the 2022 season.

His most promising year arrived in 2020. While serving as the TE2 behind veteran Kyle Rudolph, Smith put together 30 catches, 365 yards, and 5 TDs. The 12.2 yards-per-catch average (alongside the other statistics) helped grow optimism that he’d emerge as a terror to cover. After all, the tight end ran a 4.63 forty, a tremendous time for a TE who is 6’2″, 240 pounds.

Tyler Conklin / Irv Smith Jr.
Nov 8, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith (84) celebrates with tight end Tyler Conklin (83) after catching a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings will be moving ahead with T.J. Hockenson as the TE1 and the recently-signed Josh Oliver as the TE2. Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse will have a fierce competition for the TE3 spot.

At 24, Smith still possesses a lot of upside. The first step will involve being available for his new team. While on the field, he can hopefully recapture some of the magic that helped make him look like an excellent pick at 50th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Vikings and Bengals are scheduled to play in the upcoming season. Minnesota will travel to Cincinnati, so they’ll be able to see an old friend while doing so.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.

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