The Bengals today signed HB Giovani Bernard to a two-year contract extension through the 2021 season. He had been entering the final season of his current deal.
Bernard, a seventh-year player, originally was a Bengals second-round draft pick out of the University of North Carolina in 2013. He has 744 career rushes for 3111 yards (4.2 average) and 19 TDs, and ranks second in team history in both receptions (265) and receiving yards (2278) by a running back, trailing only James Brooks (297 and 3012).
"Gio is a guy we can count on," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. "He's been a dependable, steady back in this league for a long time. He's a great leader for this team, so we feel it's very important to have him around in the years to come."
A look back at the best images of Bengals running back Giovani Bernard.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) jumps into the end zone for a 12-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Away vs. Denver Broncos
Last Meeting: Dec. 2, 2018
Running back Giovani Bernard points to the sky after scoring a first half touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) celebrates after running in a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
RB Giovani Bernard
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard (25) throws before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) breaks a tackle from Oakland Raiders defensive end Arden Key (99) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) celebrates scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, September 30, 2018, in Atlanta. The Bengals won 37-36. (Paul Abell via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard (25) celebrates in front of Cleveland Browns' Andrew Sendejo (23) after a run during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) in action against the Baltimore Ravens Terrell Suggs (55) at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland November 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Damian Strohmeyer)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) celebrates during an NFL regular season game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015 in Glendale, Ariz. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. Cincinnati won 33-25. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Player Giovani Bernard of the Cincinnati Bengals coaches a young team during the final tournament for the UK's NFL Flag Championship, featuring qualifying teams from around the country, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Wednesday, July 3, 2019. The new stadium will host its first two NFL London Games later this year when the Chicago Bears face the Oakland Raiders and the Carolina Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Giovani Bernard scores a receiving touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football at Paul Brown Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) catches a pass against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) is pursued by New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson (96) in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)
Cincinnati Bengals second round draft pick Giovani Bernard, a halfback out of North Carolina, holds a jersey with the number he will wear for the NFL football team, Saturday, April 27, 2013, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard, left, signs autographs after practice at the NFL football team's training camp, Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) and tight end Tyler Kroft (81) take the field with their teammates before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, right, celebrates with running back Giovani Bernard (25) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Philadelphia.
