Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap were once stars in the Bengals defense. They are now being used as rotational pieces, and both players are reportedly frustrated.
According to Tyler Dragon of Cincinnati.com, both players are upset with their lack of playing time.
Atkins has played in only two games this season and has seen the field for just 37 total defensive snaps. He has recorded zero pressures.
Dunlap has publicly admitted that he’s frustrated with his role and even commented on a Bengals Instagram post to joke about the fact that he’s playing outside linebacker and how he’s “social distancing” from the field.
The Bengals started defensive tackle Xavier Williams over Atkins and defensive end Amani Bledsoe instead of Dunlap in their Week 6 loss to Indianapolis. Williams was just signed by the team last week and Bledsoe began the year on the practice squad.
Dragon adds that both players were told that the changes were what’s best for the team and that other players in the locker room “are wondering why Dunlap and Atkins have been relegated to situational players.”
In 2018, the Bengals rewarded both players with extensions. Dunlap signed a three-year, $45M deal and Atkins signed a four-year, $63M deal.
Finding teams willing to trade away anything for the large contracts will be tough, but there are no plans to trade either player before the November 3 deadline, according to the report.
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