“I’m definitely excited to be part of this team for that much longer,” Bernard said before the first mandatory minicamp session Tuesday in his first media address since the extension was finalized June 8. “I think the biggest thing is that we still have a lot to do. I’m just happy to be here to be part of that. I think as an organization, there are things we want to accomplish and I’ll be there for that.”
The Bengals rewarded Bernard — who boosts his 2016 base salary from just over $1 million to an average value just over $5 million a year — for his production the past three years while he averaged 701.7 rushing yards and 445.0 receiving yards per season. He is now among the league’s 10 highest-paid running backs.
When asked about what it means to be a part of an organization that seems to like the continuity of keeping young players around, Bernard said he didn’t count on being a part of that trend.
“I just kept my head down and kept working and that’s how it’s going to continue to be,” Bernard said. “This is definitely a reward, this is definitely something I thank the front office for and something that’s a blessing. The biggest thing is just keep playing hard, just keep being who I am.”
In his pre-practice press conference, coach Marvin Lewis indicated extensions to other 2017 free agents could be coming soon.
Emphasis on development: Mandatory minicamp doesn't have the significance it once did when the NFL offseason calendar wasn't so full, but the Bengals especially are using the three-day period to further develop young players.
Most of the team already has been together through voluntary workouts and OTAs in recent weeks; however, minicamp provides an opportunity for guys to get more reps in a no-contact structure before a six-week break leading into training camp.
“The schedule is put together to spend some time that way and to hopefully further advance our young players over these next three days as much as we can, the new players,” Lewis said. “That’s our goal, to get as much productive work done and finish and move forward so when we come into training camp we come in as a more knowledgeable group.”
Tight ends Tyler Kroft and C.J. Uzomah are two who especially will be watched this week, Lewis said, as they look to get more reps in injured Tyler Eifert’s absence. Kroft saw extensive playing time last season but was mainly used as a blocker, while Uzomah saw action in five games. Both will be looking to get more reps in the passing game this week, something quarterback Andy Dalton said will be important with Eifert not there as another reliable target.
Roll call: All players expected to be at minicamp this week were present Tuesday, but linebacker Rey Maualuga, who did not participate in OTAs, was not in uniform and was limited to conditioning drills. Eifert, Ryan Hewitt and Brandon Thompson are all injured.
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