With veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd signing a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, the Bengals are in need of a dependable wide out to complement Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
According to Randy Mueller of The Athletic, who described the Bengals as the ideal fit for former Pro Bowl wide receiver and current free agent Hunter Renfrow, the solution might be right around the corner.
“There aren’t other options with previous production like Renfrow, and the Bengals lost Tyler Boyd, who was a fixture in the slot the past few years,” Mueller wrote. “He might be a ready-to-use solution.”
After playing with the Las Vegas Raiders for the previous five seasons, 28-year-old Renfrow was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021 after racking up 103 receptions for 1,038 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Renfrow was cut by the Raiders in March 2024 after finishing the previous two seasons with just 61 receptions for 585 yards and 2 touchdowns.
From Fifth-Round Pick to Pro Bowl Receiver: Renfrow rose to prominence as a Clemson walk-on wide receiver after winning two national titles in the College Football Playoffs. Among his many highlights was his game-winning touchdown catch against Alabama in the 2017 CFP Championship Game, which was decided by a mere two seconds.
Renfrow started his career as a walk-on in 2018 and went on to win the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s best player. As a true freshman, he weighed just 155 pounds and stood just 5-foot-10.
In the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft (with pick No. 149 overall), the Raiders selected Renfrow. Prior to his breakthrough season in 2021, he had more than 600 receiving yards in each of his previous two seasons. The Raiders rewarded him with a two-year, $32 million contract.
After the Raiders advanced to the AFC Wild Card Round in 2021, they finished with a total record of 14–20 in the previous two seasons with Renfrow starting just four games and missing seven because of injury in 2022.
Wide Receivers for the Bengals Are Uncertain
After putting Higgins on the franchise tag, the Bengals had to deal with drama at wide receiver during the offseason. Higgins has alternately asked for a trade, an extension, stated he would play, then sought for a trade once more.
When the Bengals selected Jermaine Burton of Alabama in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft (with choice No. 80 overall), they hoped to alleviate some of the uncertainty at wide receiver, but there is no assurance that a rookie will be successful.
At Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide in receiving each of the previous two seasons, Burton displayed glimpses of his talent. At a remarkable 20.5 yards per grab, he completed 2023 with 39 receptions for 798 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
Despite having just finished a career-worst season in 2023, Higgins was awarded the franchise tag by the Bengals; the tag will pay him $21.8 million in 2024.
Higgins recorded career lows in 2023 for touchdowns (5), receiving yards (656), and catches (42). In addition, he missed a career-high six games due to hamstring and rib problems.
To Pro Football Network’s Jay Morrison, Cincinnati head coach Zc Taylor stated, “We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us.” He seems to be our best shot to lead us to a Super Bowl victory. Working with Tee has been enjoyable for the past four years, and I anticipate that this year will be the same.
