LaFell cashes in during season-ending Bengals win

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Brandon LaFell entered Sunday’s finale needing three catches to kick in a $300,000 contract extension for reaching 60 receptions, and 5 yards to add another $200,000 for getting to 800.

He hit both money milestones early, hauling in catches of 12 and 3 yards on the opening drive before snagging his third ball on the Bengals’ second snap of the second quarter in the team’s 27-10 victory against Baltimore at Paul Brown Stadium.

“I had no clue,” LaFell said with a wry smile when asked about the $500,000 bonus he earned on the season’s final day.

“I was more worried about trying to get Andy (Dalton) that 314 yards,” to break Dalton’s own single-season franchise record for passing yards. “I knew if I went out there and just played my game I was going to get catches like I’ve been getting the last few weeks.”

While LaFell was talking to reporters, teammate Wallace Gilberry walked by and cracked, “Hey, Brandon, let me hold $10,000.”

When a reporter suggested LaFell might be on the hook to buy dinner for some of his teammates, he said, “They gotta come find me.”

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