Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert says that he will be ready for the 2017 season after back surgery at the end of last season.
Tyler Eifert is a key player in a Bengals offense which has been decimated by free agency exoduses over the past two years. With recent losses, Cincinnati needs its tight end more than ever if its wants a playoff return. Unfortunately, Eifert has struggled to stay healthy, missing a total of 27 games in four years in the NFL.
Among the reasons that Eifert has had to miss games are concussion, stingers, elbow, shoulder, ankle and back issues. However, Eifert says that those issues are behind him coming into this season.
"“I’m feeling good. I continue to get better. My back feels great. I’ll be ready and healthy and strong and be ready to go by the time it’s go time. I’m close.”"
Eifert’s breakout season came in 2015 when he had 13 touchdowns, 11 of which came in the red zone on 16 targets. The same season Eifert recorded those career numbers, he injured his ankle to the point of requiring offseason surgery while playing in the Pro Bowl. The Bengals felt the repercussions of Eifert’s absence in 2016 as they saw an approximate 12 percent decrease in their red zone touchdown rate in 2016 in comparison to 2015.
Even with the addition of a healthy Eifert back to the Bengals offense, the idea the Bengals are going to be the same team they were two years ago might be a lofty expectation. Last season it was clear that the loss of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu were more impactful than the front office expected. Eifert back to the receiving core will help spread the field but without receivers (excluding A.J. Green) with the ability to create separation, it will be hard for the Bengals to have the dynamic passing offense of the past.
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This season, the Bengals went into free agency with three top priorities. Keep two of these three: Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler, and Dre Kirkpatrick. The Bengals lost both offensive lineman and retained Kirkpatrick. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bengals lost both their best pass-blocking and run-blocking offensive linemen. For those keeping track at home, that is not a good recipe for success for a team that was just 6-9-1 a season ago.