THURSDAY, 1:04pm: The Bengals have officially signed Peko to an extension, the team announced today (via Twitter).
WEDNESDAY, 1:16pm: The Bengals have agreed to extend the contract of defensive tackle Domata Peko, whose deal was initially set to expire after the 2014 season, reports Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com (via Twitter). According to Hobson, the new deal will tack two years onto Peko’s existing contract, locking him up through 2016.
Peko, a former fourth-round pick, has been with the Bengals since the team drafted him in 2006, racking up 108 starts and 123 total games for the franchise. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required) haven’t been particularly kind to him, assigning him a negative grade every year since 2007, and placing him 66th among 69 qualified defensive tackles in 2013. However, the 29-year-old has been a defensive leader and a key cog in the middle for the Bengals, recording 54 tackles and three sacks last season.
Peko had been slated to earn $4.325MM in 2014, so the extension might lower that cap number a little, creating some additional 2014 flexibility for Cincinnati.