Giovani Bernard Contract: Latest News, Rumors on RB's Negotiations with Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have a handful of key veterans set to become free agents following the 2016 season, and they'll likely put running back Giovani Bernard near the top of the list of players they hope to re-sign before then.   

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Bernard, Bengals in Process of Negotiating New Deal

Tuesday, May 17

Geoff Hobson of the team's official site broke the news Tuesday of the Bengals' negotiations with Bernard.

Cincinnati took care of one free-agent-to-be on the same day, announcing it signed safety Shawn Williams to a four-year extension. General manager and team president Mike Brown will likely have to make difficult decisions at some point, though, which will involve letting key starters test the free-agent market.

According to Spotrac, the Bengals have a little over $28.7 million in cap space for the 2017 season. While that leaves the team with some financial flexibility, retaining every one of Bernard, offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick and defensive tackle Domata Peko will be next to impossible.

Brown will also want to make sure he has enough wiggle room next year to re-sign tight end Tyler Eifert, running back Jeremy Hill and cornerback Darqueze Dennard. Linebackers Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict will also be free agents in 2018.

Bernard brings a lot of value to the offense through his work in both the running and passing games. He finished with 1,202 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in 2015. Pro Football Focus graded Bernard the 24th-best (76.6) running back in the league.

Re-signing the former second-round draft pick would be in Cincinnati's best interest.  However, with how relatively easy it is to find talented running backs in the draft, the Bengals should be wary of paying too high a price to keep Bernard around for the long term, given who's set to hit free agency over the next two years.