Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Bengals sign OT Reiff but release star DT Atkins

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Friday, 19 March 2021 10:46

The Cincinnati Bengals made a big signing for their offensive line Friday but also announced they were releasing one of their all-time greats on the defensive line.

The Bengals signed offensive tackle Riley Reiff, but coach Zac Taylor later announced that defensive tackle Geno Atkins was being released. Backup quarterback Ryan Finley and starting right tackle Bobby Hart will also be released, Taylor said.

Atkins, who turns 33 on March 28, has been with the Bengals since the team drafted him in 2010 and developed into an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time first-team All-Pro and was named to the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2010s. He has 75.5 sacks, which ranks second in franchise history.

Releasing Atkins will give the Bengals $9.5 million in cap savings during a bevy of free-agency additions that includes Reiff. Terms of Reiff's contract were not disclosed by the Bengals on Friday.

Reiff, 32, spent the previous four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and has played the right and left tackle positions. The signing comes after a year in which Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending knee injury, and Cincinnati made it a priority to boost the offensive line this offseason.

Reiff visited the Bengals on Thursday and went to dinner at a local restaurant with some of the team's players, including Burrow, on Thursday night.

"Really impressed with [Burrow]. He looks great on film and he's even better off the field," Reiff told reporters. "Just the way he conducts himself. Down-to-earth. Cincinnati-type guy. Tough. Midwestern. Blue-collar. Comes to work."

Reiff ranked 37th in pass block win rate (an ESPN metric powered by NFL Next Gen Stats) when lined up as a tackle. The emphasis on improving Burrow's protection started at the end of the season when the Bengals parted ways with offensive line coach Jim Turner and rehired Frank Pollack, who spent last season with the Jets but had previously been employed by the Bengals. The Bengals ranked 29th in PBWR in 2020.

Atkins played in 161 games for the Bengals, making 134 starts. He was limited to eight games last season, which ended when he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He finished without a sack for the first time in his career.

He has three seasons with 10 or more sacks, including a career-best 12.5 in 2012.

The Vikings released Reiff earlier this month in a move that created $11.75 million in salary-cap savings.

Reiff signed with Minnesota as a free agent in 2017, switching from right to left tackle in the process. He started 62 games including the postseason for the Vikings and allowed 12 sacks over four seasons.

A first-round pick of the Lions in 2012, Reiff played his first five seasons with Detroit. He has appeared in 135 regular-season games in his career, making 127 starts.

ESPN's Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.

Read 234 times

Soccer

England star Kirby to leave Chelsea this summer

England star Kirby to leave Chelsea this summer

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEngland star Fran Kirby announced on Saturday she will leave Chelse...

Wrexham release 8 players including captain Young

Wrexham release 8 players including captain Young

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFirst-team captain Luke Young and club captain Ben Tozer have been...

Martino: Miami not in position to sign Di María

Martino: Miami not in position to sign Di María

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami CF head coach Gerardo "Tata" Martino shut down the poss...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Magic 'stay the course,' overcome Mitchell's 50

Magic 'stay the course,' overcome Mitchell's 50

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic huddled up four minutes into the...

George, Harden mum on future as Clips fall again

George, Harden mum on future as Clips fall again

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDALLAS -- After losing in the first round with Kawhi Leonard injure...

Baseball

Yankees ace Cole to throw off mound Saturday

Yankees ace Cole to throw off mound Saturday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is scheduled to throw off a mou...

Buehler seeking big-league adrenaline for return

Buehler seeking big-league adrenaline for return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- As he neared the end of a 20-month-long rehabilitati...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated