BREAKING NEWS: Former $32 Million WR key man Named Good Fit for Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are in need of a dependable third wide receiver to support Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, following veteran Tyler Boyd’s one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.
According to Randy Mueller of The Athletic, former Pro Bowl wide receiver and free agent Hunter Renfrow could be the ideal solution for the Bengals.
“The Bengals lost Tyler Boyd, a consistent slot presence in recent years, and no current options have the same level of proven production as Renfrow,” Mueller stated. “He could seamlessly fill that role.”
Renfrow, 28, spent the last five seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders and made the Pro Bowl in 2021, recording 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and 9 touchdowns.
However, after managing only 61 receptions for 585 yards and 2 touchdowns over the past two seasons, Renfrow was released by the Raiders in March 2024.
From Fifth-Round Pick to Pro Bowl Receiver
Hunter Renfrow rose to prominence as a walk-on wide receiver at Clemson, where he played a pivotal role in winning two College Football Playoff national championships. Notably, he caught the game-winning touchdown against Alabama with just seconds remaining in the 2017 CFP National Championship Game.
Renfrow, a two-time All-ACC selection, earned the Burlsworth Trophy in 2018, awarded to the nation’s top player who started his career as a walk-on. Remarkably, he began his college career as a true freshman standing at just 5-foot-10 and weighing 155 pounds.
January 9, 2017: Deshaun Watson finds Hunter Renfrow for a TD with one second left to give Clemson a 35-31 win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. pic.twitter.com/YRyb5aq7r1
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 9, 2021
Hunter Renfrow was selected by the Raiders in the fifth round (No. 149 overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft. He exceeded 600 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons before his breakout year in 2021. In recognition of his performance, the Raiders signed him to a two-year, $32 million contract.
Over the past two seasons, Renfrow started only four games and missed seven games due to injury in 2022. During this period, the Raiders posted a combined 14-20 record after reaching the AFC Wild Card Round in 2021.
Bengals Wide Receivers Facing Uncertainty
The Bengals have experienced some turmoil at the wide receiver position this offseason after placing the franchise tag on Tee Higgins. Higgins has fluctuated between requesting a trade, seeking an extension, committing to play, and then requesting a trade again.
To address some of the uncertainty, the Bengals selected Alabama’s Jermaine Burton in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. However, relying on a rookie is not a guaranteed solution. Burton showed promise at Alabama, leading the team in receiving yards for the past two seasons. In 2023, he recorded 39 receptions for 798 yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 20.5 yards per catch.
Higgins, despite being tagged and set to earn $21.8 million in 2024, is coming off a career-worst season in 2023, with career lows in receptions (42), receiving yards (656), and touchdowns (5). He also missed a career-high six games due to rib and hamstring injuries.
“We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told Pro Football Network’s Jay Morrison. “We think he’s our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years and expect this year to be no different.”