Cincinnati Bengals stars Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap are all of the sudden enjoying reserve roles on protection regardless of standing as franchise greats with presumably loads to supply.

This one has been brewing for some time now, with Dunlap publicly sad along with his position. In keeping with Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer, each stars are sad:

“In accordance a number of sources, Atkins and Dunlap are pissed off with their lack of enjoying time. Atkins and Dunlap are miffed by the workforce’s defensive philosophy and method. They’ve mainly been demoted to third-down specialists.”

Dragon additionally reported that coaches approached each gamers and stated their situational, third-down roles are “what’s finest for the workforce,” a call that has different gamers within the locker room confused, too.

It’s no secret the Bengals needed a diminished position for Atkins this 12 months in an effort to make him simpler. Dunlap was additionally going to tackle extra jobs as a linebacker within the a number of scheme.

The place the confusion appears to be now could be the actual fact Xavier Williams, a road free agent new arrival, simply performed greater than Atkins in Week 6. Amani Bledsoe, a apply squad mainstay, performed greater than Dunlap.

This would possibly simply be the wrestle a brand new teaching employees faces whereas implementing its imaginative and prescient, however relaxation assured this little bit of drama is simply getting began.