Former Bengals player will have a good chance of getting a revenge game after being signed by AFC club

Irwin played and was with Cincinnati on and off from 2019-2024. He bounced around during his first two years before being signed to the active roster for most of 2021 and 2022. He became entrenched in the wide receiver depth chart later in 2022 and appeared in a career-high 16 games in 2023.

The Bengals kept Irwin for most of 2024, but waived him late in the season and the former undrafted free agent signed with the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. He never played in a game for Carolina.

Jacksonville now adds him to its receiving corps, which gives him a decent chance at playing a revenge game against the first team to give him a real chance at playing time.

The Jaguars come to Paycor Stadium in Week 2 this season to play in Cincinnati's home-opener. If Irwin makes the the initial 53-man roster, he'll only have to stay on the team for one more week to dress for a possible revenge game.

Making the roster, of course, will be easier said than done for Irwin. Jacksonville very notably added wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter with the 2nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after trading up three spots to land him. They also signed five receivers as college free agents after the draft. Irwin is now the 14th receiver on their offseason roster.

NFL teams typically keep a maximum of seven wideouts when they initially cut down to 53 players, so Irwin's odds of making it past six others isn't great. That said, being signed in early June gives him part of OTAs, and all of mandatory minicamp and training camp to build his case.

With luck, Irwin may very well make the trip back to Cincinnati for Week 2.