The Bengals lost some receiving depth this offseason, but they managed to make sure one of their best pass-catchers didn’t get away.
According to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, the Bengals are finalizing a three-year, $15.5 million extension for running back Giovani Bernard.
The former second-round pick was entering the final year of his rookie deal, and this one reportedly pays him like a top 10 back, with $6 million this year.
Bernard’s not a conventional runner, as he’s never topped 750 yards on the ground in a season. But he’s caught 148 passes in three season, and couples with Jeremy Hill to give the Bengals a potent combination in the backfield.
They lost wideouts Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones in free agency, so keeping Bernard around will be good news for quarterback Andy Dalton this year.
