Bengals re-sign WR Irwin, sign former Patriots OT Brown to 1-year deals
An important depth piece to the Cincinnati Bengals offense is returning.
The Bengals on Tuesday announced they have re-signed wide receiver Trenton Irwin to a oneyear contract extension through the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, former New England Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown agreed to a one-year deal with the Bengals on Tuesday. Brown will step in as Joe Burrow’s new right tackle following Jonah Williams’ departure.
Brown, who has experience at both left and right tackle, was a seventh-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 and played his first three seasons there. Since 2018, he has spent time with New England (2018, 2021-23) and the Raiders (2019-2020), and he has played 100 career games with 93 starts over nine NFL seasons.
The Bengals had a need at right tackle after Williams departed in free agency, signing last week with the Arizona Cardinals. Former New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton also made a visit to Cincinnati late last week.
Irwin, a fifth-year player, originally signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent in 2019 but was waived among final roster cuts that August and eventually joined Cincinnati’s practice squad. After stints bouncing between the roster and practice squad his first four seasons with the Bengals, he became an important fixture in 2023, making the 53-man roster out of camp for the first time and serving as the team’s fourth wide receiver.
Coming off a four-touchdown 2022 campaign, Irwin played in 16 games last season and made five starts while Tee Higgins battled injury. He finished with 316 yards on 25 catches with one touchdown. During his five years with Cincinnati, he has played in 34 regular-season games and has caught 43 passes for 586 yards and five touchdowns.
The Bengals are likely losing Tyler Boyd in free agency, and Irwin should continue to compete for more opportunities in 2024. He also was re-signed in free agency last year.