Football - Cincinnati Bengals Reach Six Year Contra

It has been learned that Cincinnati Bengals have signed a six year contract extension with defensive end Rober Geathers who has been the Bengals leading sacker in 2006. In doing so, Bengals have managed to secure on their star players for the future.

The contract is worth $19 million in the first three years. The extension has a maximum value of $33.7 million. It is understood that Geathers will earn $12.5 in bonuses and bank $14 million in the first year of the deal alone.
If the extension had not been signed, Geathers would have been eligible for a restricted free agency in the coming spring. The Bengals had an option of offering Geathers a one year qualifying offer. However, they went in for a long term extension as they consider him a vital component in the team’s future.
Geathers was part of the fourth round choice in the 2004 draft. He has posted 42 tachles and 101/2 sacks in 2006. Bengals used him as situational rusher, mainly from the left side. In 2005, Geathers started all the 16 games which was just his second season in the NFL. However, head coach Marvin Lewis felt that the Bengals could maximize Geather’s value by reducing his snaps in 2006.
Geathers, a three year veteran, has played in 46 games which include 17 as a starter. He has 116 tackles and 17 sacks. He is considered to be a quick and disruptive defender who can only improve as time goes by.
Bengals were keen to retain Geathers as Justin Smith, the starting right end, is now eligible for unrestricted free agency. If Smith leaves the Bengals, it will pave the way for Geathers to move to right end.