According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Cincinnati Bengals have elected not to pick up Andre Smith's two-year option, which makes his rookie contract a four-year deal that will expire after the 2012 season.
#bengals have decided not to pick up the option on OT Andre Smith's contract. It remains at as a four-year deal with two years left.less than a minute ago via web 
Favorite 
Retweet 
Reply
Joe Reedy
joereedy
Smith originally signed a six-year deal worth $42 million with $21 million guaranteed. However there was a two-year option that the Bengals had to pick up by August 19 if the contract was going to be six years. Instead it's now a four-year deal with expected an expected salary of $490,000 in 2011 and $1,083,750 in 2012. Smith was due another $3,427,500 in 2013 and 2014 combined.
Due to his history of injury and questions about his work ethic, it's not surprising that the Bengals decided not to pick up Smith's final two seasons. The right tackle finally made it a point to step up his game and take this whole NFL thing seriously this offseason, dropping his weight to a self-reported 333 pounds. Smith played well against the Lions on Friday, stronger during the run yet unfortunately for Smith, there's simply not enough evidence that he's turned it around by today's deadline. That doesn't mean the team can't find a way to sign him to an extension after this season, provided he stays healthy and lives up to his sixth overall potential. But we'll just have to wait and see.