Strong safety George Iloka signed a five-year, $30 million deal to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. The deal keeps him with the Bengals until 2020. The safety is coming off of one of his best years and he played the first four years of his career with the Bengals as well.
Bengals are giving S George Iloka a 5-year, $30 million deal that includes $18M over first 3 three years.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2016
George Iloka Re-Signs With Cincinnati Bengals
The former fifth-round pick really deserved his pay day this year. He has been one of the most sure tackling safeties in the league, and for his size, he is better than expected in coverage.
Iloka was drafted out of Boise State in 2012. He learned as a backup during his rookie season, as he didn’t start a game and only saw a few snaps during seven games. During his second season, he was thrust into the starting lineup and he immediately made a difference.
In 2013 he started all 16 games, and created one interception while accounting for 43 tackles. It is tough to measure stats to the quality of Iloka’s play because most of what he is doing is cleaning up after Reggie Nelson, who is running the field as a free safety.
In 2014, however, Iloka had a breakout year and added three interceptions and 50 total tackles. He was officially on the radar as a one of the best performing younger safeties in the league.
In his 2015 season he had to miss four games due to injury, but his quality of play was the best of his career. He became a reputable run stopper and was a guy that could fly all over the field with his 6’4″, 225 pound frame. While the injuries set him back a bit, the buzz is high on Iloka as one of the younger, more talented safeties in the league right now. Since he will only be 26 years old in June, he still has plenty of room to develop as a professional.
Main Photo:
