The Bengals reportedly retained one of their biggest locker-room leaders when they agreed to terms with defensive tackle B.J. Hill, according to published reports in the first hour of NFL free agency Monday.

The rugged and durable Hill, a franchise staple since coming over in a trade with the Giants on the eve of the 2021 Super Bowl season, had two sacks and a huge fourth-quarter tackle-for-loss in the Bengals' five-game winning streak that ended this past season.

Hill, who turns 30 next month, has missed only two of his possible 121 games and they came last year when he injured his hamstring. With other injuries piling up around him at tackle. Hill was the glue and led the line with 56 tackles.

He's also a positive team force. It was Hill who dared quarterback Joe Burrow to dye his hair blond for training camp.

"He's been a reliable part of that front for the last four years," Burrow said last season. "Another guy who was kind of overlooked early in his career, but has really made a name for himself here. He's been a core part of this team. B.J. means a lot."

The reported three-year deal for $33 million came as Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki concluded a Paycor Stadium news conference announcing his own three-year deal as the free agency whirlwind lived up to its name.

"Look at that. Everybody's happy. Everybody's happy," said Gesicki as he pounded the podium when he was told of the Hill deal. "Obviously, the player he is, but I think even more importantly is the guy he is in the locker room. The leader he is. The city loves him, the fans love him. Everybody in the locker room loves him. That's a huge piece."

The reports also come against the backdrop of massive changes expected this season on defense with Al Golden as the new coordinator and Jerry Montgomery as the new line coach/run game coordinator among the changes.

Golden was the linebackers coach in Hill's first season with the Bengals and saw him rack up a career-high 5.5 sacks and 1.5 more in the playoffs, as well as one of the biggest plays in Bengals history.

With the Bengals trailing the Chiefs, 21-13, Hill got his hands up to pick off quarterback Patrick Mahomes deep in Kansas City territory late in the third quarter to set up the tying touchdown on the way to an overtime victory.

Hill played 47% of the plays during that '21 season before starting tackle Larry Ogunjobi was injured in the Wild Card Game. Since that next week's AFC Divisional, Hill has started all 54 of his games and played about 75% of the snaps.