The Cincinnati Bengals and Tyler Eifert need each other.

The offense is just plain better with Eifert on the field, and it's clear that Eifert thrived there when he was healthy.

It was in the best interest of both sides to make something happen to get Eifert back to Cincinnati for the 2018 season.

According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, Eifert agreed to a one-year deal with the Bengals on Thursday, less than 24 hours into the start of the free agency period. By that point, Eifert's agent had been allowed to negotiate with other teams for several days, and he was still without a team.

Eifert did draw interest on the market, but to what extent is unknown. At least one team was intrigued by his past production but wary of taking a risk on a player who had played only 10 games in the past two seasons. It didn't help that Eifert was coming off consecutive years that ended with him having back surgery and has a long sheet of medical issues that include injuries to his elbow and ankle, among other things.

Eifert said in the fall that the doctor assured him he would be recovered to 100 percent following his latest back surgery, but it's clear the injury history severely limited his market.

The terms of Eifert's new deal haven't been disclosed, although the NFL Network reported it was worth up to $8 million, indicating Eifert essentially signed a "prove it" deal. It probably will be similar to deal for Vontaze Burfict, whose extension last fall included a large base salary, a smaller signing bonus, and significant per-game roster bonuses. In Burfict's case, that'll somewhat protect the Bengals if he is off the field due to a suspension. In Eifert's case, it will protect them if he gets injured again.

In the absence of an offer that far outshone what the Bengals gave him, it was a no-brainer for Eifert to return to Cincinnati. Although he has played in only 10 games in the last two seasons, he thrived here in 2015 when he caught 13 touchdown passes. He and Andy Dalton have good chemistry, and the Bengals have made no secret that they wanted him back.

Eifert is essentially betting on himself with this new contract, and the best place to do that is somewhere he's comfortable. Signing with a new team is always a risk, and Cincinnati is a place where he knows he can be successful. Eifert obviously felt comfortable enough to stick around in Cincinnati to do his rehab after undergoing back surgery for the second straight year, and considering how much time he has spent with the medical staff there, there are probably few people who know his body's limits better.

While Eifert's first foray into free agency probably was disappointing, this could be a make-or-break year for his career. Eifert never has played a 16-game season, and he has to prove he can still be the player he was in 2015. The Bengals need to prove they can get their offense out of the NFL cellar, and getting Eifert on the field is a big part of that.

Eifert is only 27, so if he has another year like 2015 and stays healthy, he could cash out on the free-agency market next season.