NFL: Bengals extend with Star-Defensive-Lines

The Cincinnati Bengals have extended their contracts with two of their main defenders. Defensive linemen Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap will go quarterback hunting for the Bengals for another few years.

Atkins signed a four-year $65.3 million contract according to ESPN´s Adam Schefter. 25.5 million of that amount will be paid out to him in the first year. The average annual salary of $16.3 million is the highest average salary ever paid out to an NFL player over 30 years of age who does not play in the quarterback position.

Schefter also reported that Dunlap has signed a new employment contract. The 29-year-old extended for 3 years and a total volume of 45 million dollars.

Dunlap (64.5) and Atkins (61) lead the bag franchise. Both players were chosen by the Bengals in the 2010 draft and have now signed their third contracts with the team.

The Bengals are playing under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin this season. The team seems to be able to build on a strong pass rush again thanks to Dunlap, Atkins and a set of young players including Carl Lawson, Sam Hubbard, Jordan Willis and Andrew Billings.