Free Agent Cedric Benson, Bengals Agree To One-Year Deal, According To Report

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Cincinnati Bengals and RB Cedric Benson have agreed to a one-year contract. The Bengals and Benson will try to rekindle the magic of the 2009 season and try to forget about last year, when, on a yards-per-carry basis, Benson was one of the worst running backs in the league.

Benson was chosen with the fourth pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but floundered and sputtered with the Chicago Bears. He ultimately wound up with the Bengals, and in 2009 had the best year of his career, rushing for 1,251 yards and 6 TDs in 13 games, with a YPC of 4.2

Last season was another story. Playing in all 16 games, Benson regressed, averaging just 3.5 yards per carrying and fumbling seven times. He was more effective at catching the ball — 28 receptions last year compared with 17 in '09 — but struggled in all other facets of the game.

Marvin Lewis is nothing if not loyal, though, and Benson was one of the better RBs left on the market. This contract is a one-year "show me something" deal, and though financials haven't been released yet, I'd bet there are a lot of performance incentives.

For more Bengals info, head to Cincy Jungle.