CINCINNATI -- Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins has never hit the open market, but he plans to keep it that way.
Atkins, 30, signed a four-year contract extension on Tuesday that could keep him in Cincinnati into retirement if he doesn't play past age 34. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the $16.3 million yearly average is the highest given to a non-quarterback who is 30 or older.
Atkins, with 61 career sacks, is second behind only defensive Carlos Dunlap in all-time sacks for the Bengals. Dunlap, who has 64.5 career sacks also received a three-year, $45 million extension on Tuesday.