The Facts: The Bengals picked up the fifth-year option on Eifert's rookie contract last Wednesday. This means Eifert will now be locked up through the 2017 season. The Bengals have made clear they plan to eventually try to reach a long-term extension with Eifert.

Diehards Line: As Enquirer staffer Paul Dehner Jr. pointed out, this offseason top tight ends in the league inked lucrative extensions. Kansas City's Travis Kelce signed for $9.3 million per season, second most among NFL tight ends (Jimmy Graham, Seattle, $10.0 million). Philadelphia's Zach Ertz landed a deal worth $8.5 million a year and Indianapolis' Dwayne Allen at $7.3 million. So when will Eifert get his? According to Dehner, Eifert likely falls into the same timetable as receiver A.J. Green. Cincinnati exercised his fifth-year option in 2014 and agreed to a deal this past September, making him the highest paid receiver per season in football. Move those landmarks up two years, and the same scenario leaves Eifert landing a deal in September of '17.