Cincinnati Bengals: Green-Ellis Additon Confirms Cedric Benson's Time Is Up

Now that the Cincinnati Bengals have brought on free agent running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, it's safe to say that Cedric Benson won't be getting another year with his long-time team.

That comes as little surprise, but the possibility always remained that they could give him yet another one-year deal if the team's plans to add a free agent veteran fell through.

Benson, an unrestricted free agent, has been with the Bengals since the 2008 season and has rushed for over 1,000 yards the last three straight years. The best season of his career came in 2009, in which he had 301 carries for 1,251 yards, six scores and had six games with 100 or more rushing yards.

The 29-year-old Benson won't likely have many—or any—suitors for his talents this offseason. It's been a slow start to free agency as far as running backs are concerned, with Green-Ellis just the third to find a new team since last Tuesday.

Benson could land a job once training camps start this summer as a situational back or for depth reasons, but, right now, the market isn't a friendly place for backs with his amount of experience.

Benson's odds to remain a Bengal were slim once the season wrapped, especially after comments he made in February criticizing offensive coordinator Jay Gruden for decreasing focus on the running game.

Adding Green-Ellis is just one piece of the puzzle for the Bengals' offense this year.

The team is likely looking to take a committee approach to the running game, with Green-Ellis serving as the goal-line and third-down bruiser, Bernard Scott taking a featured role and potentially adding a speedy rookie into the mix next month.

Obsolescence is the number one reason a running back finds himself out of a job, and that's clearly what has happened in Cincinnati with Benson. Though he should land a gig with another team, don't expect it any time soon.

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