Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati Bengals Agree to Six-Year, $40 Million Deal

Dec 30, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap (96) holds the ball after scoring during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Cincinnati Bengals failed to lock up defensive end Michael Johnson, who is set to play the 2013-14 NFL season under the one-year franchise tender, they were able to sign their other starting pass rusher to a long-term deal. According to Pro Football Talk, Dunlap and the Bengals agreed to a six-year, $40 million deal.

The Bengals have made no secret about the fact that they view the 24-year-old as their best pass rusher on the roster.

Dunlap’s deal also all but guarantees that Johnson will no longer be with the team following this season, especially with star defensive Geno Atkins entering a contract year.

Johnson may be missing out on the money that he wants, but the team is choosing where they want to commit their money and it is hard to argue against the way they are going about doing things.

Cincinnati has plenty of talented young players on the defensive side of the ball and it is great to see the team taking care of the budding stars.

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