Bengals sign first-round pick Amarius Mims, rookie contract details revealed
The Cincinnati Bengals have officially signed first-round pick Amarius Mims, inking the former Georgia Bulldogs star to a four-year contract. Mims was the last of all the 2024 NFL Draft picks to ink his rookie deal. He signed for $15.37 million, with a signing bonus of $7.99 million.
As a first-round draft pick, Mims’ rookie deal comes with a fifth-year option for the Bengals. They’ll choose whether or not to exercise his fifth year after his third season in the league. His contract is fully guaranteed as well.
Mims joins the Bengals after helping the Bulldogs win the national title in 2021 and 2022. He is expected to make an immediate impact and protect star quarterback Joe Burrow, returning to action after suffering a wrist injury in November.
“He’s huge. A monster. Humungous,” Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack said about Mims, per the team’s official website. “His measurables have to be at the top of the league. His hands are a smidge over 11 (inches). His (arm) length is 36 and change. His wing (span) is 86 and change. It’s ridiculous.”
Pollack continued to praise Mims. “And he can move. He can run. He’s athletic. How is that possible?” Pollack wondered. “And he uses it with his length. That’s what you want, especially on the edge. There are guys who are long and have good length, but they don’t use it. It’s a moot point if they don’t use it. He uses it.”
What Amarius Mims said after being drafted by the Bengals
After Mims was drafted at No. 18 overall, he spoke to reporters about how he best describes his game. “Honestly, I feel like I play pretty physical and I play patient,” he said. “In a game, you don’t want to get too anxious and try to overdo anything. Especially as an O-lineman and as a tackle too, because I feel like you have pound-for-pound the best athlete on the field. So in my opinion, you’ve got to be aggressive, and then sometimes you’ve got to be patient just because you’ve got to know the guy you’re playing against. I feel like those two things describe my game.”
Mims also talked about his biggest takeaway from his pre-draft meeting with the Bengals. “I took away a lot. From the Combine to the 30 visits, like I said, just getting familiar with the coaches. Like I said, I have a great relationship with those guys. Me and coach (Frank) Pollack, we were in there talking about plays, talking about where I’m sitting in the room and all that stuff. Like I said, I just feel like it’s a good vibe already, just a good fit. I’m ready to get around some of the guys in the O-line room, see how that is too. I’m just ready for the next chapter, honestly.”