‘A sigh of relief’: Why extending Logan Wilson was right move for Bengals
Logan Wilson was able to breathe a “sigh of relief” on Friday night when he found out he would be staying in Cincinnati for the next five seasons. The Bengals and Wilson agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $37.25 million.
Wilson made things official on Saturday when he signed his new contract on an off day for the players. He celebrated by going to breakfast with his wife, Morgan, then kept with his routine that included Pilates and a massage.
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“It's almost like, just like a sigh of relief that things are done, and you can just continue to go out and play football and what I've done throughout the last four years coming into this year,” Wilson said on Sunday. “I think it's gonna be another fun year for us.”
The Bengals and Wilson both stated their desire for him to stay in Cincinnati. It was unclear though if the team could figure out a way from a salary cap standpoint though but they were successful in doing so.
Following the AFC championship loss to the Chiefs in January, it seemed unlikely the Bengals would be able to keep Germaine Pratt and Wilson. Fast forward to August and the Bengals have both linebackers under contract for the next three years.
It’s a huge advantage for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo who is entering his fifth season in his role with the Bengals.
“Thrilled … not only for Logan but Germaine to you know,” Anarumo said. “Earlier this year I think we have one of the best tandems at linebacker in the league.”
Cincinnati’s 2020 draft produced quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Tee Higgins and Wilson in the first three rounds. Not many would have expected Wilson to be the first of those three to get an extension but that’s how the cards played out.
Wilson is one of the most important and athletic players the Bengals have on their roster. He’s blossomed into a three-down linebacker who can do virtually anything Anarumo asks of him. His former background as a defensive back makes him one of the NFL’s best at making plays on the ball.
Since entering the league, Wilson has tallied seven interceptions. In addition to his leadership role, he’s as consistent as can be on the field. When asked what the hardest thing he’s had to go through since entering the NFL, Wilson pointed to when he dislocated his shoulder against the Los Angeles Chargers in December of 2021. He only missed three games and played through a significant amount of discomfort for the rest of the season showing the franchise his desire to compete and help his team.
Wilson believes that injury is where he grew the most as a player.
“Going through that injury, how much pain it was to even get the tearing, the dislocation done,” he said. “That was horrible. Then going from questioning whether or not you were gonna be able to play again that year to rehabbing for three weeks, coming back, playing and then I thought I played pretty well for the most part coming back from a shoulder injury like that. I think that's where I kind of grew the most, just understanding what I can endure in this game.”
The Bengals have been impressed with Wilson since they got a chance to meet him at the Senior Bowl after head coach Zac Taylor’s first season. He’s viewed as one of the foundational blocks this team has in their turnaround from the season he was drafted. Taylor and Wilson’s relationship is a key reason why Wilson wanted to stay in Cincinnati.
A win-win for both sides and now with Wilson's deal done, the team can fully prioritize extensions for Burrow and Higgins.
“We're set for years to come with such a great, great piece of the puzzle in Logan Wilson,” Taylor said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘A sigh of relief’: Why extending Logan Wilson was right move for Bengals
