Bengals tender offers to three players

Staff Report

The Bengals on Wednesday extended tender offers to three players – wide receivers Andrew Hawkins and Dane Sanzenbacher and linebacker Vincent Rey. Their contracts from 2013 expire Saturday, and as the NFL’s free agency period begins that day, they will be restricted free agents .

All three are fourth-year NFL players in 2014.

“This is part of the yearly process to help us retain our core of good young players,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “Andrew, Vinny and Dane have earned the opportunity to look at the market, but we want them back with us. They are certainly in our plans.”

The three players may negotiate with other teams starting Saturday. But by extending the tenders, the Bengals gain the right to retain any of them by matching a competing signed offer. If an RFA does not sign with another team, he can remain with his original team by signing the one-year tender, or by negotiating a longer-term contract.

Hawkins missed the first eight games of last season with an ankle injury, but he played in the last eight and the wild-card playoff loss to the Chargers. In 35 games over three seasons, he has 86 catches for 995 yards and four TDs.

Rey, who joined the Bengals in 2010 as a college free agent, had a breakout year in 2013. He played in every game and starter three games when middle linebacker Rey Maualuga was injured. Rey had 4.0 sacks among his 54 tackles. He also had two interceptions.

Sanzenbacher played in 10 games last season. He had a key catch in the final minute on Oct. 20 at Detroit, helping gain field position for a game-winning field goal.