Offensive tackle Andre Smith signed a contract Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending an impasse that dragged on a month into the preseason.
Steve Wyche reports it’s a four-year, $26 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Bengals have an option to extend the contract after the 2010 season, which would make the deal a six-year, $42 million contract with $29.5 million guaranteed. Smith also has incentives that could increase the maximum value of a six-year deal to $50 million.
The Bengals originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed all three preseason games. He was in Cincinnati and agreed to the deal shortly before the start of a late afternoon practice.
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