Jim Owczarski of the Enquirer reports that there’s “definite focus” from the Bengals on signing DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap to lucrative contract extensions this offseason.
Owczarski explains that Cincinnati would like to have deals for both players in place before the 2018 season, which would ensure that the franchise tag isn’t in play the following year.
Atkins, 29, is a former fourth-round pick of the Bengals back in 2010. He’s currently in the final year of his six-year, $56.423 million contract that included $31 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $9.25 million for the 2018 season.
In 2017, Atkins appeared in all 16 games for the Bengals and recorded 47 tackles and nine sacks. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 2 interior defender out of 122 qualifying players.
Dunlap, 28, is a former second-round pick of the Bengals back in 2010. He’s currently in the final year of his five-year, $39.37 million contract that included $11.7 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $7 million for the 2018 season.
In 2017, Dunlap appeared in all 16 games for the Bengals and recorded 45 tackles, 7.5 sacks, an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble and seven pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 23 edge rusher out of 106 qualifying players.
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