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The deal is finally done and signed between the Cincinnati Bengals and linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
Congrats to Vontaze Burfict @King55Tez and the Cincinnati @Bengals on finalizing his new contract extension pic.twitter.com/1qqE2XvMZN
— Audie A. Attar (@AudieAttar) August 27, 2014
The Bengals like to get extensions done around this time of the year, right before the regular season opens. Last year, they inked defensive linemen Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins to extensions, and Andy Dalton's deal was done during this year's training camp.
They've now got the core of their team locked up for at least two more years, but a new deal for All-Pro receiver A.J. Green will likely come soon, with Burfict's deal out of the way.
Burfict, who signed a three-year deal after the 2012 NFL draft as a college free agent, was due to become a restricted free agent following the 2014 season.
In only his second season (named Cincinnati's PFWA MVP), Burfict was named to the 2013 Pro Bowl after leading the league in tackles. He also led Cincinnati with seven tackles-for-loss while adding three quarterback sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and two recoveries with one returned for a touchdown.
Burfict was the first Bengals linebacker to reach the Pro Bowl game since Jim LeClair in 1976.