"Right in the middle of talking about the running backs who participated in Sunday's practice, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis got the news that many have been waiting for - Cedric Benson is back for another season.

After losing out on their top defensive free agent, the Bengals agreed to terms with Benson on a one-year deal that could earn him up to $5 million this season. The contract has a base salary of $3 million.

Benson's agent, Eugene Parker, said the short-term deal was done to get Benson into camp but that both sides will discuss an extension during the season.

"He wants to be a Bengal and the Bengals want him back. The organization gave him an opportunity at a second chance (in 2008) and things have worked out well," Parker said.

Since signing four games into the 2008 season, Benson has been the Bengals' bell-cow back. He has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and ran for 100 yards 13 times in 40 starts.

Last season Benson rushed for 1,111 yards on a career-high 321 carries. He also had a career-high 28 receptions. The only knocks on him last season were seven fumbles (five lost) and an average of 3.5 yards per carry, which was near the bottom among starting running backs.

There were some doubts toward the end of last year on whether Benson would be back. But the dismissal of Bob Bratkowski as offensive coordinator and the hiring of Jay Gruden changed that. Before the lockout, Gruden and Benson had a 90-minute conversation about a variety of topics, including a return to a physical running game that helped the Bengals win the AFC North in 2009.

Even with Benson, Lewis is looking for others to help shoulder the load. Brian Leonard was re-signed Friday and Bernard Scott, who is entering his third season, is expected to have more of a role. Scott missed Sunday's practice with a hamstring injury."