The Cincinnati Bengals should probably still have an interest in bringing back free-agent cornerback Eli Apple at some point this summer.
Like we went longform on back in February, Apple was an oddly underrated part of what the Bengals accomplished over the last two seasons defensively while stepping in as a starter when not originally expected to do so.
While running through each team’s offseason so far, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell just raised this point as well:
What’s left to do: Reunite with Apple? He rebuilt his career as a starting cornerback on the Bengals over the past two seasons, so I’m surprised there wasn’t at least some market for him in free agency. He is still out there, which seems remarkable in a league in which every team needs more cornerbacks.
It’s a no-brainer, provided Apple wants to be back, too. Cam Taylor-Britt continues to blossom as a starter, but the defense will throw rookie DJ Turner to the wolves early if No. 1 Chidobe Awuzie isn’t all the way back from his Halloween ACL tear.
The context is important — this is a secondary that already lost core pieces with Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell gone. Veterans who know the system and can help others situationally are a nice thing to have, especially in an AFC absolutely stacked amid the ongoing arms race (Aaron Rodgers is there now, DeAndre Hopkins could be soon).
This isn’t to say Apple should come back and be the starter over the young guys. But, social media trolling aside (and Twitter isn’t real life, believe it or not), he’s been an important part of the program and even admits joining the Bengals revived his love for football.
Funnily enough, besides things like extensions for Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins, bringing back Apple is one of the best remaining moves the Bengals could make this summer.
