Report: Bengals sign Giovani Bernard to 2-year extension

The Cincinnati Bengals have wrapped up running back Giovani Bernard on a two-year, $10.3 million contract extension ahead of Week 1.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided the details:

Source: The #Bengals are signing RB Giovani Bernard to a two-year, $10.3 million extension. He gets a raise to $5.9 million this year and $11M over two, including a $600K guaranteed bonus due in March. Locking up a team leader and playmaker through 2021. 💰

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2019

That’s a big extension and clearly signals Bernard as a big piece of the offense under new head coach Zac Taylor.

Bernard went underused in recent years but has always remained a core piece of the plan. He figures to feature in a bigger role, especially as a pass catcher alongside Joe Mixon.

With Bernard extended, all eyes in Cincinnati now turn to A.J. Green as the next extension candidate as he heads into a contract year, though he’s still in a boot and rehabbing from ankle surgery.