CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinatti Bengals reached a contract agreement with receiver Terrell Owens on Tuesday, two persons familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
He’s expected to report to training camp Thursday and sign a one-year deal that will pay him $2 million with a chance for an additional $2 million in bonuses.
The Bengals were his first choice, giving him a chance to team with close friend Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals made an offer on Monday, and Owens accepted a day later.
Players are required to report for the start of training camp on Wednesday in Georgetown, Kentucky. Owens is expected to show up when workouts begin on Thursday, said one person speaking on condition of anonymity because the team had made no announcement of the signing.
WATCH NBC SPORTS COVERAGE OF TERRELL OWENS’ CINCINNATI DEAL:
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On his Twitter account, Owens replied to Ochocinco late Tuesday: “Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!! Hey Robin, Batman will b there soon!” He’s expected to sign his deal when he arrives in Georgetown.
Ochocinco gushed about the matchup on his Twitter feed, welcoming Owens and joking that “all of our games have been moved to pay-per-view, you got to pay to see this.”
Both the flamboyant receivers are accustomed to cable. By adding the 36-year-old Owens, the Bengals will lead the NFL in reality show stars. Ochocinco competed on “Dancing With the Stars” in the offseason, and has a dating show called “Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch”. After Ochocinco’s show comes “The T.O. Show.”
Quarterback Carson Palmer helped bring Owens to Cincinnati. Palmer worked out with Owens in California and called coach Marvin Lewis, saying the team ought to try to sign him.
Bengals owner Mike Brown went along, even though he knew Owens also brings a lot of baggage. The outspoken receiver has a history of undercutting his quarterbacks, though he was on good behavior last season in Buffalo.
Brown has a history of providing extra chances to players who have caused trouble, allowing them to extend their careers in Bengals stripes. In the past two years, the Bengals also have signed receiver Chris Henry, running back Cedric Benson, running back Larry Johnson and receiver Matt Jones, all of whom were let go because of off-field issues.
“Yes, people can make mistakes,” Brown said at the team’s preseason luncheon on Monday. “It doesn’t mean that they go on the rest of their lives making mistakes. They can get their ship pointed in the right direction. This is a 36-year-old man. He’s been through a lot. He’s proven as a player and as a person.”
The question is how much he has left.
Owens caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns with the Bills last season, his least-productive full season since early in his career with San Francisco. The Bengals are trying to upgrade a passing game that was one of the NFL’s worst last season.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.