Report: Steelers interested in former Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick

Could a former Cincinnati Bengals player be able to don the black and gold of the Pittsburgh Steelers?

It isn’t like James Harrison didn’t once wear the ugliest uniforms in the NFL, but I believe all Steelers fans have selective amnesia regarding that lone season when No. 92 wasn’t in the black and gold.

Rivalries don’t always just fade due to money either. If you recall, when the Steelers decided to let Joey Porter go elsewhere, he turned down both the Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens stating his disdain for the teams, and not being able to play against the Steelers twice a season.

And in this situation, you would be hard pressed to find two teams who hate each other more than the Steelers and Bengals do heading into 2017. Nonetheless, it is being reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that the Steelers are one of a few teams showing interest in Dre Kirkpatrick, formerly of the Bengals.

The Steelers aren’t the lone suitors in this situation, and Kirkpatrick is considered one of the better cornerbacks about to hit the free agent market on March 9th, but will the Steelers actually pull the trigger on this deal if they are able?

There will likely be another team who is willing to overpay for Kirkpatrick’s services, but the Steelers have something which most teams don’t — a chance to win a title. The Bengals have won the AFC North during Kirkpatrick’s time in Cincinnati, but we all know the Bengals’ illustrious playoff success since Boomer Esiason stopped slinging the ball around the yard.

This is an intriguing rumor, and one which most Steelers fans will simply shake off, but the Steelers seem to be putting out their feelers for anyone who they think could help them get over the hump and back to the Super Bowl next season.