The Cincinnati Bengals have yet to make a decision on the future of longtime tight end Tyler Eifert. As the team debates whether or not to bring back the talented yet oft-injured pass-catcher, though, it has agreed to a deal with the player who took his place as a starter.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, tight end C.J. Uzomah will sign a three-year, $18 million contract to stay in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future.
Tight end C.J. Uzomah has agreed to terms heading back to the #Bengals on a 3-year deal worth more $18M, source said. Nice deal for Uzomah.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 11, 2019
Uzomah enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2018 as a full-time started for the first time in his career. Filling for the injured Eifert, he had 43 catches or 439 yards and three touchdowns, all easy career-bests.
He spent the first three seasons of his career in a reserve role, acting more as a factor in the run game as a blocker like he did at Auburn University.
At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Uzomah is a solid both as a run and pass blocker, and showed a new penchant for finding holes in defenses as a pass-catcher last season. He doesn't offer much after the catch or as a field-stretcher, though, averaging just 10.2 yards per catch.
The Bengals are in a state of transition after firing longtime coach Marvin Lewis at the conclusion of last season. The team hired former Los Angeles Rams quarterback coach Zac Taylor to replace him.
Eifert, a Pro Bowler during his third NFL season in 2015, has played just 14 games over the past three years while dealing with a series of injuries.
He's a free agent this offseason, and has expressed interest in returning to Cincinnati.
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