According to his most recent mailbag, Geoff Hobson writes that veteran defensive end Robert Geathers might not return next season, which would leave Cincinnati without one of their top leads in the locker room.
Now there could be another blow to the locker room because there is a buzz about Geathers not coming back. Again, other people have to assert themselves because Geathers is such a tremendous leader. That’s where the emerging line vets like Atkins and Carlos Dunlap come into play and I think they'll be fine with it because they've grown up in the league hearing it from Peko and Geathers.
Geathers' cap number in 2015, the last of a three-year deal, is $3.05 million (per Spotrac). If the Bengals were to sever ties with him this year, they wouldn't incur any dead money.
Since being selected in the fourth-round of the 2004 NFL draft, Geathers has accumulated 34 quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and 183 tackles -- all with Cincinnati. After suffering a season-ending elbow injury during the second week of the season in 2013, Geathers went on to have a disappointing year in 2014 with 21 tackles, a sack and three batted passes.
One could speculate that Geathers may retire. In addition to turning 32 this summer, Geathers completed his 12th season and has already undergone microfracture surgery in 2009, along with the season-ender in '13. Cincinnati also has two younger guys waiting for opportunities in Margus Hunt and Will Clarke, they combined for just 251 snaps compared to 604 by Geathers.