Eli Apple, Bengals Reportedly Agree to New 1-Year, $4M Contract in Free Agency

Sixth-year cornerback Eli Apple is reportedly staying put for the 2022 season.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing Apple to a one-year contract worth $4 million. The 26-year-old appeared in 16 games for Cincinnati last season, his first year with the team.

Apple recorded 49 total tackles with two interceptions and 10 passes defended in 2021. In his six-year career, he's notched 286 tackles, 43 passes defended, five interceptions, five fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.

Last season was a bounce-back year for Apple after he was limited to two games in 2020 with the Carolina Panthers due to multiple injuries.

The Bengals made a surprising run to Super Bowl LVI last season, falling to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20. Apple was the subject of scrutiny after he gave up the game-winning touchdown to Rams receiver Cooper Kupp late in the fourth quarter.

Kansas City Chiefs wideouts Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman ripped Apple and mocked him after the cornerback had talked trash to them following Cincinnati's win over Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game.

Apple had drawn the ire of players around the league during the Bengals' playoff run when he tweeted some disparaging remarks about the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints fanbases. The Giants drafted Apple 10th overall in 2016 before trading him to New Orleans in 2018.