Paul Dehner Jr.

pdehnerjr@enquirer.com

The Bengals re-signed veteran defensive tackle Pat Sims on Wednesday. The Enquirer confirmed Sims received a two-year deal for $2.3 million. He also received a $250,000 roster bonus on March 18. He can earn $75,000 in workout bonuses each year, and another $600,000 in incentives and playing time escalators.

The 6-2, 340-pound run-stopper returned to the Bengals last season following a two-year stint in Oakland. He contributed 18 tackles in a rotational, reserve role. He spent half of the regular season inactive, with Brandon Thompson taking his spot.

Thompson, who tore his ACL late in the season, was also a free agent and has not signed anywhere at this point. Thompson likely wouldn't have been able to contribute much coming off the injury next season, making the choice of Sims an easy one to fill out the defensive line.

He serves as the latest in a line of defensive players re-signed in order to piece back together a group that set the franchise record for fewest points allowed in a season last year. Cincinnati also re-signed safety George Iloka, cornerback Adam Jones and linebacker Vincent Rey.

Sims was a 2008 third-round pick of the Bengals and spent his first five seasons with the club. He will turn 31 in November.

Behind the scenes of Bengals free agency