Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Friday that the team has released defensive tackle Geno Atkins.

Atkins is considered as one of the best defensive players in Bengals history, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors. He is part of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and leaves Cincinnati as second on the franchise’s sack leaders list with 75.5 quarterback takedowns.

Despite everything Atkins achieved with the organization, the Bengals decided not to be sentimental.

It made sense for Cincinnati to part ways with the 32-year-old star, as the move came with multiple benefits. They opened up $9.5 million in cap space while also getting a roster spot and freeing up snaps for their younger players.

The Bengals were probably also under the influence of Atkins’ poor performances and injury struggles in 2020. He played just 119 snaps in eight games because of shoulder issues and failed to record a single sack for the first time in his career.

While Cincinnati no longer sees value in Geno Atkins, it’s easy to see another team taking a gamble on the veteran. While age is not going in his favor, Atkins could still be a valuable contributor to a team if he manages to stay healthy.

Besides 75.5 sacks next to his name, Atkins also recorded 384 tackles and 117 QB hits during his career. He had three seasons with double-digit sacks and never recorded less than 3 until last season.

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Cincinnati Bengals are making sure they have stability in their secondary for years to come. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Bengals signed defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Carlos Dunlap on multi-year extensions on Tuesday. Both players were entering the final years of their deals signed in 2013.

Atkins, who is two-time All-Pro, signed a four-year, $65.3 million extension which will keep him in Cincinnati through 2022. The 30-year-old will receive $25.5 million in the first year and $12 million in the second year.

Dunlap, who is two-time Pro Bowler, received three-year extension which is worth $45 million and will keep him with the team through 2021.

Giving such massive deals is very unusual for the Cincinnati Bengals, who didn’t like to spend big on the players in the past. This time, however, the team didn’t want to face the risk of losing two premier defensive players.

Geno Atkins was drafted in the fourth round of 2010 NFL Draft and spent his rookie year as a backup. In his sophomore season, however, he managed to win the starting job in the training camp and never looked back. Atkins went on to receive two First-team All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl selections. His NFL career stats include 290 tackles, 61.0 sacks, six pass deflections, eight forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown.

Carlos Dunlap was drafted in the same year as Atkins, but he was taken in the second round. Dunlap had his breakthrough year in 2015 when he managed 13.5 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance. He was Pro Bowler in 2016 and has established himself as a valuable player for Bengals’ secondary. Dunlap’ professional career averages include 361 tackles, 64.5 sacks, 42 pass deflections, 16 forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns.

The post Bengals Sign DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap to Extensions appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Friday that the team has released defensive tackle Geno Atkins.

Atkins is considered as one of the best defensive players in Bengals history, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors. He is part of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and leaves Cincinnati as second on the franchise’s sack leaders list with 75.5 quarterback takedowns.

Despite everything Atkins achieved with the organization, the Bengals decided not to be sentimental.

It made sense for Cincinnati to part ways with the 32-year-old star, as the move came with multiple benefits. They opened up $9.5 million in cap space while also getting a roster spot and freeing up snaps for their younger players.

The Bengals were probably also under the influence of Atkins’ poor performances and injury struggles in 2020. He played just 119 snaps in eight games because of shoulder issues and failed to record a single sack for the first time in his career.

While Cincinnati no longer sees value in Geno Atkins, it’s easy to see another team taking a gamble on the veteran. While age is not going in his favor, Atkins could still be a valuable contributor to a team if he manages to stay healthy.

Besides 75.5 sacks next to his name, Atkins also recorded 384 tackles and 117 QB hits during his career. He had three seasons with double-digit sacks and never recorded less than 3 until last season.

The post Pro Bowler Geno Atkins Released by the Bengals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cincinnati Bengals are making sure they have stability in their secondary for years to come. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Bengals signed defensive tackle Geno Atkins and defensive end Carlos Dunlap on multi-year extensions on Tuesday. Both players were entering the final years of their deals signed in 2013.

Atkins, who is two-time All-Pro, signed a four-year, $65.3 million extension which will keep him in Cincinnati through 2022. The 30-year-old will receive $25.5 million in the first year and $12 million in the second year.

Dunlap, who is two-time Pro Bowler, received three-year extension which is worth $45 million and will keep him with the team through 2021.

Giving such massive deals is very unusual for the Cincinnati Bengals, who didn’t like to spend big on the players in the past. This time, however, the team didn’t want to face the risk of losing two premier defensive players.

Geno Atkins was drafted in the fourth round of 2010 NFL Draft and spent his rookie year as a backup. In his sophomore season, however, he managed to win the starting job in the training camp and never looked back. Atkins went on to receive two First-team All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl selections. His NFL career stats include 290 tackles, 61.0 sacks, six pass deflections, eight forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown.

Carlos Dunlap was drafted in the same year as Atkins, but he was taken in the second round. Dunlap had his breakthrough year in 2015 when he managed 13.5 sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl appearance. He was Pro Bowler in 2016 and has established himself as a valuable player for Bengals’ secondary. Dunlap’ professional career averages include 361 tackles, 64.5 sacks, 42 pass deflections, 16 forced fumbles and two defensive touchdowns.

The post Bengals Sign DT Geno Atkins and DE Carlos Dunlap to Extensions appeared first on SportzBonanza.