The Bengals have re-signed wide receiver Brandon LaFell to a two-year deal.
The deal is said to max out at $10 million, which is fair for a veteran of LaFell’s stature who served as a No. 2 receiver for Cincinnati in 2016.
The 2010 third round pick by the Panthers and former Patriots receiver had a great season with the Bengals in 2016. He served as the team’s No. 2 receiver for most of the season, but also filled in as the No. 1 once A.J. Green went down with a hamstring injury in Week 11. Green never returned to the lineup after suffering his injury and LaFell had some of his best performances with Green off-the-field.
LaFell played all 16 games in 2016, (14 starts) and recorded 862 yards and 6 touchdowns on 64 receptions. His year with the Bengals was the second best of his seven year NFL career; the best being the 2014 season with the Patriots, during which LaFell was a major player in New England's Super Bowl win.
LaFell actually scored on the longest touchdown pass of Andy Dalton's NFL career, an 86-yarder against the Texans in Week 16.
With an average of $5 million per season, LaFell's salary ranks as the 25th highest average salary per year among receivers in the NFL. He'll surely be bumped down on that list when 2017 free agent wide receivers sign new deals in the coming days and weeks. Free agents like Terrelle Pryor, Alshon Jeffery, Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson, Kenny Stills and Robert Woods are all sure to net big new contracts, which should earn them at least that amount per year.
So, what do you think about LaFell’s deal and having him back in Cincinnati for the next two years?
All praise to the most high ... Thankful to be back in the jungle #whodey pic.twitter.com/uuFbj5KStN
— Jody Breeze (@Blafell1) March 8, 2017