The Bengals have finally done what we’ve been wishing for all summer long, they finally re-signed Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. Yep, that right. Both in the same day. Fuck yeah.
OFFICIAL: #Bengals sign DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap to extensions. #SeizeTheDEY
Read more ?: https://t.co/wettWkM6rd pic.twitter.com/8YSVkChZ0e
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 28, 2018
Okay, let’s be honest…. If you’ve been paying attention to the Bengals at all over the past month, these moves really are not that surprising. Cutting LaFell, Baker, and Iloka were all made to help re-sign Atkins and Dunlap. Sure there were other reasons, but those were big parts in it.
Let’s discuss their contract details:
Geno Atkins – 4 years worth $65.3 Million
Geno Atkins: 4-year extension for $65.3M, $25.5M in first year, per source. More than 50% contract($37.5M) paid in first 2 years. $16.3M yearly average is highest yearly average signed by a 30+ year old non-QB in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2018
Geno Atkins is gonna make $65.3 Mill over the next 4 years. Yeah, holy shitballs is right. But he deserves every penny of it. I know when you saw the contract details, you might of thought he was overpaid. He wasn’t. That’s just how the NFL works. To keep elite players on your team, you gotta give them the money. Don’t worry, we’re not in cap hell. Every year, NFL teams get more money. Basically it’s inflation. But the contract is actually really smart.
The Bengals have signed DT Geno Atkins to a four-year extension! ?? #WHODEY @GenoSacks pic.twitter.com/mAQfSc8sTy
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) August 28, 2018
Next year (when Geno’s contract starts) he is set to make $25.5 million. Before you flip your shit, let me explain why this is good. Now, no matter how much he makes in the first year of his contract, he’s making $65.3 million by the end of his 4 years no matter what. Agreed? So look at it like this. Atkins is still in him prime. Lets be realistic, by the end oh his contract, he’ll be 34. He’s not gonna be as good then.
So basically how his contract works, is he makes less money as it goes on. Bengals are paying him the most, as he plays his best. Just think about it like that. And also, the Bengals are getting the expensive part of the contract done early. So in a couple years when we need to re-sign some other players, like I don’t know, a guy like AJ Green, we’ll have more cap. That was actually some smart moves by the Bengals front office….. Damn. Never thought I’d say that.
Overall, a really good deal done. Perfect for both parties. Now let’s go to Dunlaps.
Carlos Dunlaps – 3 years worth $45 Million
Bengals and DE Carlos Dunlap agreed to a 3-year, $45 million contract extension, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2018
Damn, that’s a lot of money. But I see what the Bengals did here. Some people thought we shouldn’t given Dunlap this deal because we have younger guys, but this move works for the younger guys. Think about it, now that Dunlap signed the 3 year extension, he’ll be here for 4 more years(New contract starts next year). Assuming the Bengals activate Jordan Willis and Carl Lawson’s 5 year options, they’ll be here for 4 more years. So by the time Dunlap’s contract is up, Lawson and Willis will be in their prime. Makes total sense. Damn Bengals front office, you’re blowing my mind. Or you guys did great on accident, because that’s possible too. Anyways, great job!
Now I did think Dunlap was a bit overpaid, but oh well. They’re keeping an elite defensive line together that will dominate for years. That’s what is important.
Overall, the Bengals came through today. And they weren’t being cheap either:
So the Bengals are investing up to $110.3 million in contract extensions to keep Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap in Cincinnati for seasons to come. pic.twitter.com/t5KgMfkcbl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2018
This article was published unedited and raw. Any concerns or corrections should be pointed to Braeden directly.
