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The Bengals re-signed defensive end Robert Geathers to a reported three-year deal on Tuesday. (USATSI)

Just minutes before free agency was set to begin on Tuesday, the Bengals were able to re-sign defensive end Robert Geathers to a three-year deal, $9.5 million deal, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.   

Geathers started all 16 games for the Bengals last season and ranked sixth on the team with three sacks. He also had 30 tackles and a tackle for loss. Geathers has had at least three sacks in six of his nine seasons with the Bengals, including a career-high 10.5 in 2006. 

The signing means Geathers will return to Cincinnati for his 10th season, becoming only the third defensive lineman in franchise history to play with team for at least 10 seasons. 

It also means the Bengals will return both their starting defensive ends from 2012. Cincinnati used its franchise tag on Michael Johnson, the team's other starter. 

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