Cincinnati Bengals have finally completed the signing of offensive tackle Andre Smith on a contract that could earn him $42m.
First round pick finally signs Cincinnati contract
Cincinnati Bengals have finally completed the signing of offensive tackle Andre Smith on a contract that could earn him $42m.
Smith, the sixth overall pick, was the highest unsigned pick in the NFL with one week left in preseason but has already been practising with the Bengals.
However, it remains to be seen if the rookie is ready to take the field in Cincinnati's final preseason game against Indianapolis on Thursday.
"It was difficult just sitting there waiting. I'm eager to get back to football," Smith told
NFL.com. "I don't feel like I'm that far behind. There's a difference between workout shape and football shape. I'm ready to get back into football shape."
The four-year contract is worth $26m with $21m guaranteed, while the Bengals have an option to extend the deal beyond the 2010 season which would make it a six-year, $42m contract.
It leaves San Fransisco wide receiver Michael Crabtree as the only unsigned first round pick from this year's draft.
