Carlos Dunlap’s displeasure with Cincinnati Bengals escalates in loss
After the Browns scored the winning touchdown with 16 seconds left, Dunlap got into an argument with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo regarding playcalling, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.
Television cameras captured Dunlap being restrained by Cincinnati assistant Nick Eason, the team’s defensive line coach, before the ensuing kickoff. Dunlap also posted a property listing on his social media accounts after the game.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor was asked about the overall situation involving Dunlap, a former Pro Bowler who has spent all 11 seasons of his career with Cincinnati.
“We just handle that internally,” Taylor said. “We got a group of guys in the locker room who want so badly to do things the right way and get this to where we want to be.”
Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd said he did not agree with Dunlap’s interaction on the team sideline at the end of the Bengals’ third consecutive defeat.
“He’s a vet,” Boyd said. “He knows what he should and should not do at the end of the day. Regardless of what situation he’s in, we’re a team.”
While the Bengals’ players were conducting virtual news conferences, Dunlap posted the property for sale on his Twitter and Instagram accounts. Dunlap was not available to speak after Sunday’s game, according to a team spokesperson.
In his post, Dunlap said the owner was willing to “sell furnished or unfurnished” and was looking for “serious offers.” After Boyd met with reporters, he commented on Dunlap’s Instagram post by saying “Sucka s— Los”. Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, who is in his 10th year with the franchise and is a seven-time Pro Bowler, lamented how the situation has unfolded.
“I know a lot of the people are frustrated with whatever is going on, but at the end of the day we’re a family, so we’ve got to keep all of this in house,” Green said.
The turmoil involving Dunlap went to a new level on Oct. 8 when he told reporters he had been demoted from his starting role during a news conference. This past Monday, Dunlap went on Instagram Live to further voice his frustration. Then on Saturday, Dunlap posted a photo of the defensive end rotation that had him third and said “Zac/Lou they got an experiment, but I don’t got time for this”.
Dunlap and veteran defensive tackle Geno Atkins played only 12 defensive snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Browns, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.
Dunlap, a second-round pick in the 2010 draft, is in the midst of a four-year deal worth $54 million that expires at the end of the 2021 season, according to ESPN’s Roster Management System.