Bengals still haven't announced Vontaze Burfict contract extension, Lewis Confident

UPDATE: Head Coach Marvin Lewis chimed in on the issue Friday morning, per The Cincinnati Enquirer. Lewis reiterated that the team's philosophy with contracts is to not make an official announcement until both sides put ink to paper, but he also hinted at his expectation for the deal to be finalized soon.

"As you know how we believe it here, until the club and the player have signed off, it's not signed off," Lewis said.

As for if Lewis expects him to sign, he offered this response:

"I would guess we expect him to sign," Lewis said. "Obviously the agent believes he has a deal, so, we didn't release it."

It's a little bit of an odd situation, but Burfict has also been ill this week. Even so, he has been seen around the locker room while sick. If the reports about the contract are correct, one would have to assume that both sides would like the deal to be signed before the club leaves for Arizona.

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Reports surfaced earlier this week that linebacker Vontaze Burfict has reached an agreement on a four-year deal that will pay the Pro Bowler $20 million with $7.6 million this season. It appears to be a good deal for both sides. And if Burfict keeps with his current pace, I highly doubt this contract will be seen through to the end.

The only thing is... the contract hasn't actually been signed yet.

Cincinnati never acknowledges contractual-related issues until the ink is dry and an official announcement is made. No announcement? No contract.

Don't worry. Everyone is confident that it's a matter of tying down a few things. According to the mothership, "the sense is the deal is still getting locked up."

Burfict has dominated since joining the Bengals in 2012 as an undrafted free agent. His career-year in 2013 resulted in 204 tackles, three sacks, a pick-six, forced fumble, two recoveries, ten passes defensed, eight tackles-for-loss, 11 quarterback pressures, a spot on the Pro Bowl roster in only his second season -- the first Bengals linebacker since Jim LeClair in 1976.