Bengals re-sign Preston Brown, per report

The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed Preston Brown, according to ESPN reporter Dianna Russini.

Buffalo Bills reporter Ryan Talbot adds it’s a three-year deal worth around $21 million:

When healthy, Brown is a good linebacker and arguably the best Cincinnati has. Brown was the NFL’s tackle leader for the 2017 season with the Buffalo Bills, and the expectations were high when he joined the Bengals’ linebacker unit in free agency last year.

However, Brown’s time in Cincinnati was underwhelming, as he battled multiple injuries, as did the Bengals’ entire linebacker unit. Nick Vigil missed several weeks with a knee injury of his own, and Vontaze Burfict missed time with a hip injury, concussion and suspension last year.

Brown’s 2018 season started out well. He was inserted at the middle linebacker spot and also played on third downs in place of Burfict, who was suspended the first four games of the season. Brown missed the second and third game due to injury, but he returned in Week 4 to play until he was placed on injured reserve following the Saints game in Week 10.

Brown would appear in seven games and record 42 tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections. It’s hard to really judge his performance since he played through his lingering injury until he couldn’t anymore.

Hopefully, Brown will stay healthy and prove himself under the new coaching staff while becoming the kind of impact player the Bengals are hoping he’ll be in their defense.