Bengals sign Atkins, Dunlap to contract extensions

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 8: Geno Atkins #97 of the Cincinnati Bengals attempts to tackle Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 8: Geno Atkins #97 of the Cincinnati Bengals attempts to tackle Tyrod Taylor #5 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Paul Brown Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals locked up two of of their best defensive players on Tuesday.

The team has agreed to contract extensions with defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

 

The deals are reportedly four years for Atkins, 30, and three years for Dunlap, 29.

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Both players’ exisiting deals were set to expire after this season.

Atkins, 30, is a six-time Pro Bowler set to begin his ninth season with the Bengals. The 6-foot-1, 300-pounder, widely considered as one of the top interior linemen in the NFL, has 290 career tackles, including 61 sacks.

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Atkins’ extension is worth $65.3 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Dunlap is a two-time Pro Bowler. Also entering his ninth season, he has 244 career tackles, including 64.5 sacks.

Dunlap’s extension is worth $45 million, according to Schefter.

Said head coach Marvin Lewis: “Geno and Carlos have worked hard to improve each season, and we’re expecting 2018 to be their best seasons yet. We have worked diligently to develop and retain talent over the years, and these contracts keep two of our best players with us for the foreseeable future.”

Dunlap and Atkins rank 2-3 in Bengals history in sacks.

Both Atkins (fourth round, 120th overall) and Dunlap (second round, 54th overall) both were selected by the Bengals in 2010 draft.

CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Carlos Dunlap #96 of the Cincinnati Bengals attempts to get the crowd to cheer during the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

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