Giovani Bernard has been with the Cincinnati Bengals since he was drafted back in 2013. He'll be there for a little bit longer, as the running back has signed a two-year contract extension worth $10.3 million with the team.
Source: The #Bengals are signing RB Giovani Bernard to a two-year, $10.3 million extension. He gets a raise to $5.9 million this year and $11M over two, including a $600K guaranteed bonus due in March. Locking up a team leader and playmaker through 2021. 💰
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2019
This might seem like a lot of money for a backup running back, but Giovani Bernard has proven himself to be extremely valuable over the years. He's decent enough in the ground game and is one of the better receiving backs in the NFL.
With Joe Mixon on the team, the Bengals now have one of the best running backs in the league. They'll want to protect him with a solid backup who can give him some reliable plays off.
That's exactly what Bernard will do. The 27-year-old can serve as a receiver out of the backfield and a nice change-of-pace for the offense. He's also been in the league and on the team for more than long enough to be a mentor to the younger players (including Mixon).
In the end, this could end up being a fantastic investment. The Bengals are trying to find a new identity and get back to their winning ways. In order to do that, you usually have to bring in fresh faces. However, keeping the locker room guys is never a bad move. Bernard has proven himself to be a leader and great teammate over the years – complimenting his on-field work nicely.
This deal should also tell you that the Bengals plan on using him. You don't pay someone that much money just to be a leader. Giovani Bernard has a clear role in this offense, and he's proven he'll make that role work. He deserved this contract.
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