AP

The Bengals will head into free agency secure in the knowledge that one of their prospective free agents is safely in the fold.

Geoff Hobson of the team’s website passed along word that the Bengals have come to an agreement with defensive end Robert Geathers on a deal that will keep him in Cincinnati. Assuming he makes the team, Geathers will join Eddie Edwards and Tim Krumrie as Bengals defensive linemen to spend 10 years with the team.

Geathers started all 16 games for the Bengals last season, recording 30 tackles and three sacks. His return gives defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer another member of a defense that helped propel the Bengals to the playoffs for a second straight season. The team used the franchise tag on Michael Johnson, their other starting defensive end, and they’ve also re-signed Wallace Gilberry ahead of the start of free agency.

That leaves the Bengals with right tackle Andre Smith, cornerback Adam Jones, cornerback Terence Newman and defensive tackle Pat Sims as notable free agents.