Safety Reggie Nelson will remain in the fold with the Bengals after agreeing to terms on a new deal, the team's official website reported Sunday.
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Nelson's deal is for four years and worth $18 million, a league source told The Cincinnati Enquirer. The Bengals will pay him $6.5 million in the first year of the contract.
The New York Jets, seeking help at the position, also courted Nelson, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported last week.
"We've got a great young team and I wanted to be a part of that," Nelson told the team's site. "I never wanted to leave, but when we went on the market, I had to keep my options open. But I'm comfortable being with the Bengals and these guys. It's where I want to be."
Nelson, 28, was a solid contributor in 2011, starting all 16 games for the first time in his five-year career. He led the Bengals with four interceptions and registered 85 total tackles.
Nelson has spent the past two seasons with Cincinnati after playing his first three for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected him in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
