Geno Atkins talked for "a while" with agents after practice

Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins, with rising superstar status with ESPYs attendance and throwing out the first pitch at a Reds game prior to training camp (and was made fun of by Mike Zimmer for being a celebrity), is entering the final year of his contract. Considering he's one of the best defensive tackles, one has to assume he will earn enough bling to buy the Cincinnati Bengals from the Brown family.

The last we've heard was that there was optimism that a deal would eventually get done, maybe prior to the start of the regular season. However, we've routinely heard that if a deal is struck, there is a significant dollar amount that must be bridged.

Following Tuesday's practice, Atkins spoke "for quite a while after practice" with his agents in Atlanta according to Jason La Canfora, who writes:

League sources say there has been ongoing dialogue about a new deal, but they are nowhere close on a deal with the Bengals at this point. I'd still bet strongly that he ends up with the franchise tag in 2014.

At the very least, it's a safe bet. Whether or not Geno Atkins signs an extension from now until next March, he will be with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014.