Eifert can earn $8.5 million in 2018 if he catches 65 or more passes for 650 or more yards and eight or more touchdowns, Jim Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Looking to return from the third back surgery of his football career, Eifert re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year, $5.5 million contract that also includes $3 million in incentives, which kick in for $250,000 apiece at 50 catches, 500 yards and five touchdowns. He'd earn another $250,000 for every five receptions, 50 yards or one touchdown thereafter, with the incentives maxing out at 65-650-8. It isn't entirely out of the question that Eifert hits the max value, considering he caught 52 passes for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games in 2015. Injuries limited him to 10 appearances the past two seasons, but he at least remained efficient with 8.5 yards per target and five touchdowns on 33 catches in that stretch. The 27-year-old owns career marks of 12.1 yards per reception and 8.3 per target, with a 68.2-percent catch rate and touchdowns on 10.8 percent of his targets. Eifert was cleared for football activities in February, likely setting him up for participation in the Bengals' offseason program.

Eifert has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Bengals, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

A back injury that Eifert now says he is past, limited the tight end to just two games and four catches for 46 yards in 2017. When healthy, Eifert has a nose for the end zone, but his five-year career has been marked by a total of 41 regular-season missed games due to various injuries. For the time being, Eifert says "everything is fixed" and if that's the way things stay for any length of time, the 2013 first-rounder could provide a good return on investment in both real and fantasy terms this coming season.

Eifert (back) confirmed he is back to full health as he prepares to hit the open market in free agency, Jim Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eifert was unable to prove himself in the final year of his rookie contract, missing the final 14 games with a disc injury that required surgery. He was cleared in late February by Dr. Robert Watkins, and thus figures to be ready for offseason workouts wherever he ends up signing. Despite playing just 41 of a possible 80 games to this point in his career, the 27-year-old could emerge as the top tight end on the market, having scored 20 touchdowns in 39 career appearances while producing 8.3 yards per target. The Bengals presumably won't use the franchise tag but may still try to re-sign Eifert.

Eifert, who was only able to play in two games prior to undergoing micro-disc surgery last season, was cleared last week by Dr. Robert Watkins to participate in OTAs this spring and play in 2018, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eifert is about to enter unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. After being limited to just 10 games over the last two seasons due to injuries, the zeroes on his next deal are likely to be less than they could have been, had his production continued off his 52-615-13 season in 2015. Still, tight ends with his offensive potential aren't easy to find and Eifert is still just 27 years old. There is certain to be at least modest interest, perhaps by the only NFL team he's familiar with as well.

Eifert (back), who underwent season-ending surgery last week, isn't expected to face any limitations heading into the 2018 campaign, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Eifert's doctors indicating the tight end endured no complications during the procedure, he should be in line for a normal offseason as he enters free agency for the first time in his career. Despite the supposed clean bill of health, Eifert's history of back problems -- last week's surgery was his third since entering the NFL -- will likely limit his earning potential even though he's been one of the league's more productive tight ends when he's taken the field. In 39 career games, Eifert has compiled 20 touchdowns while averaging 12.1 yards per reception.

Eifert (back) has been placed on IR by the Bengals.

EDGE Analysis

The move comes as no surprise, with Eifert slated to undergo season-ending back surgery. As a result, Tyler Kroft's role as the Bengals' top tight end has been cemented, while the oft-injured Eifert may well have played his last game with the team, as the 27-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season.

Eifert (back) will undergo season-ending back surgery Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

After meeting with doctors Wednesday to determine his best course of action, Eifert has officially opted for surgery and will be out four-to-six months. It's possible his career in Cincinnati is over, as the oft-injured tight end -- who missed 41 out of a possible 80 regular-season games as a member of the Bengals -- will be a free agent at year's end. Left in his wake is Tyler Kroft, who's filled in admirably the past three weeks and will serve as the team's No. 1 tight end going forward.

Eifert (back) likely will make a decision on potential season-ending surgery by Thursday, JIm Owczarski of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Eifert is meeting with doctors in Los Angeles on Wednesday while his teammates get some rest during a bye week. Surgery would rule him out for the rest of the year as he prepares to enter free agency in the offseason, but it would presumably give him a good shot to come back at full strength for training camp next year. He said that his current injury isn't related to the disc issue that forced him to have his second back surgery last year. While a third procedure on his back would obviously be worrisome, Eifert ultimately may not have any other choice. Given his contract status, it would make sense to get it out of the way as soon as possible, rather than trying to fight through the injury for the rest of the season (if that's even an option). Tyler Kroft has been filling in capably at tight end, catching 13 of 16 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns the past three weeks.

Eifert is in Los Angeles deciding whether or not he'll undergo season-ending back surgery, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

It would be the third back surgery of Eifert's career, not to mention the major ankle surgery he had in May of 2017. He's played just 39 of a possible 69 regular-season games since entering the NFL as a first-round pick in 2013, but he's been one of the league's more productive tight ends when healthy, scoring 18 touchdowns in 23 games since the beginning of 2015. Set to become a free agent in the offseason, Eifert likely would still be able to secure a sizable contract if he were to have surgery now and recover as expected. Tyler Kroft has been operating as Cincinnati's top tight end, catching 13 of 16 targets for 134 yards and two touchdowns the past three weeks. Eifert likely will make a decision at some point before the Bengals return from their bye for a Week 7 game against the Steelers.

Eifert (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Eifert still sidelined, Tyler Kroft, who caught six passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday, will continue to start at tight end for the Bengals in Week 5.