Bengals free agent reportedly being targeted by AFC team that’s intimately familiar with him

Losing free agents is an inevitability for the Cincinnati Bengals. The club is all but certain to move on from a handful of players who were extremely valuable over the past few years.

 

 

Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is expected to be one of them.

Awuzie’s three-year contract is set to expire this week, and an AFC team he’s frequently faced during his time in Cincinnati looks like a frontrunner for his services.

Per Pro Football Network insider Adam Caplan, the Tennessee Titans are expected to target Awuzie when free agency begins.

 

 

 

 

“Defensively, one top target, according to multiple sources, is expected to be veteran CB Chidobe Awuzie. Awuzie, who was originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys (2017 second round), just finished up a three-year, $21.75 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Titans, who a league source familiar with the team’s thinking, is looking for a high-character veteran who will “set the standard” in practice and on the field.” – Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan

 

 

Chidobe Awuzie’s connection with the Tians
Tennessee’s new head coach immediately comes to mind. Brian Callahan was the Bengals’ offensive coordinator during Awuzie’s three years in the Queen City. While Callahan didn’t coach him directly on the other side of the ball, his players did have to practice against Awuzie. No head coach outside of Cincinnati knows him as intimately as Callahan.

 

 

Callahan’s secondary/cornerbacks coach is Steve Jackson, whom held the same title for the Bengals from 2020-21. Jackson has already spent a season coaching Awuzie, and it happened to be the best of Awuzie’s career when the cornerback posted 10 passes defensed and three interceptions.

 

 

Awuzie already has one foot out the door in Cincinnati
It’s highly unlikely that the Bengals retain Awuzie at this point. The team drafted his replacement in DJ Turner II last year, and they have a clear reputation against paying veterans third contracts and multi-year deals for players over the age of 28. Awuzie turns 29 this May.

Awuzie may’ve already decided to look elsewhere after he appeared to tweet out a reaction to whatever the Bengals offered to re-sign him.

it’s always love

— Chido (@ChidobeAwuzie) March 5, 2024

It’s been a good three years for the Bengals and Awuzie, but it makes total sense for both sides to move on. There’s no greater fit for the former second-round pick than with Callahan and Jackson in Tennessee.