Could the Cincinnati Bengals Retain Jerome Simpson in 2012?

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has revealed that he will not rule out bringing back wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who was indicted on drug charges, in 2012.

With a multitude of holes in need of addressing come draft day, the Bengals were expected to bring in a veteran wide receiver via free agency. However, this never quite materialized, and the situation has lead many to start looking toward the draft for a partner for Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green.

Speaking at the NFL league meetings on Tuesday, Lewis stated that he wouldn't rule out bringing back Simpson, but that his return may cause issues "both on and off the field."

After losing Andre Caldwell to Denver, the Bengals are without a receiver who could step into Simpson's shoes. With only situational and slot receivers on the depth chart, Cincinnati is without a true No. 2. Former Cincinnati Bearcat Armon Binns has been considered as a potential replacement, but is still seen as a distinctly raw talent.

If the Bengals were to re-sign Simpson, his recent troubles would see him come with only a small price tag, and would enable the Bengals to address other positions in the draft.

He never fully cemented himself as a solid No. 2 in 2011, but he did enough that, had he not gotten into off-the-field trouble, he would have been a lock in 2012.

The Bengals are prone to looking past legal problems when it comes to a bargain, and the situation with Simpson could see that philosophy continue. However, the Bengals will likely base a decision on how many games Simpson is going to have to sit out.

Simpson has entered a plea agreement in his felony drug case that could see him face a jail term of 60 days.

The arrest came when a package containing two-pounds of marijuana was found to have been delivered to his home in Northern Kentucky back in September.

The case will continue in early April, but Simpson is highly expected to serve at the very least, a four-game ban from the NFL before he suits up again. Given the heavy penalties landing on the Saints in the last week, it would not come as a shock to see Simpson receive a similarly strong reprimand.

Simpson is a free-agent after completing his four-year deal with the Bengals and has, as of yet, attracted little attention on the free agent market, due largely to his legal woes.