The Cincinnati Bengals have made it known they want to extend defensive end, Carlos Dunlap, this offseason, and the two sides are in negotiations.
One of the biggest headlines around Cincinnati Bengals OTA workouts was the decision of defensive end Carlos Dunlap not to attend. Dunlap skipped OTA and voluntary workouts this offseason which meant he lost out in $300,00 in workout bonuses this offseason. He reported last Wednesday to OTA’s and is now working with the team at mandatory minicamp.
Cincinnati made it clear this offseason that they would like to extend both Dunlap and fellow defensive line star Geno Atkins. That doesn’t mean Dunlap not being at practices didn’t scare some fans. As of right now, Dunlap has been under a team friendly deal considering the production he has put in under that deal the last four seasons.
Dunlap will enter his ninth NFL season this year with 64.5 sacks, 244 tackles, 42 pass deflections, and 16 forced fumbles. In the last five seasons, Dunlap has had 7.5 or more sacks per season. The two time Pro Bowler has been one of the staples in the Bengals defense for just shy of a decade. He will make just $7 million this season but could be in for a pay raise come 2019.
During an interview in the locker room, Dunlap expressed his desire to keep playing for the Bengals. He mentioned that the two sides are working on a new deal which should be music to fan’s ears right now. Wanting to remain with the team that gave him his first shot and he has spent the last eight years with could mean Dunlap will want to sign for years to come.
Carlos Dunlap is here at Bengals minicamp after skipping OTA's. 2018 is a contract year for him but he says he wants to remain a Bengal because "they gave me my first shot." @WLWT pic.twitter.com/KVuAg1Tqyf
— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) June 12, 2018
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The Bengals have a great group of defensive ends/ edge rushers with Jordan Willis, Carl Lawson, Michael Johnson, and Sam Hubbard in the mix. If they can work out a deal with Dunlap and Atkins this offseason, it could be a great rotational line for years to come. The Philadelphia Eagles proved the worth of having multiple rotational rushers is last season, and the Bengals could be trying to replicate that in 2018.