OAKLAND, Calif. — Running back Corey Dillon rejected a $60 million offer from the Bengals before the season ended, his agents said Wednesday.

        The contract, which was for eight years and included a $12 million signing bonus, would have made Dillon the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Ravens tackle Jonathan Ogden is first.

        “He has decided to test the market,” said David Levine, one of Dillon's agents. “Corey would only consider a contract proposal from the Bengals that included a $15 million signing bonus, regardless that the deal would have paid upwards of $19.5 million in the first three years of the deal.”

        Bengals president Mike Brown is scouting college players in San Francisco this week, and he declined to comment on the negotiations. He maintained his position that the Bengals would designate Dillon a “transition” player, which, under the league's contract with the players' union, would allow the Bengals to match any offer Dillon would receive as a free agent.

        “We respect him,” Brown said. “He's a good player, someone who we want to stay with the Bengals.”

        Dillon set several Bengals records in his fourth season, including rushing yards (1,435) and attempts (315).

        He will become a free agent March 2. The Bengals have exclusive negotiating rights with him through March 1.

        The $60 million offer was the last compromise proposal negotiated by the Bengals and Dillon's agents, Levine and Oakland-based James Sims. The offer had been extended and rejected before the end of the season.

        In early December, Dillon also turned down a six-year, $38 million deal that included a $10 million signing bonus. That offer would have made him the NFL's highest-paid running back for the first three years of the contract.

        Signing bonuses are increasing rapidly in the NFL because, unlike other major sports, no NFL contract is guaranteed. Signing bonus money is the only guaranteed payment a player can receive.

        Dillon fired previous agent Marvin Demoff in November and hired Levine and Sims, who are partners and have nine other Bengals clients, because the agents have a productive working relationship with Bengals management.

        “Both sides made every effort to get Corey signed before the end of the season,” Sims said Wednesday. “We felt, as Mike (Brown) had said, they made a "strong' offer. And now it's on to free agency.”

        Levine and Sims had talked daily, they said, with Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn. She is the Bengals' lead negotiator.

        The sides met in person for two days in December, and when the agents relayed their client's wish for a $15 million signing bonus, the Bengals said the deal was fair because it had larger base salary numbers than other top-paid running backs are getting.

        Blackburn and Levine and Sims hammered out the $60 million deal, which Dillon rejected.

        In free agency, the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots are believed to be the most interested in Dillon.

        Dillon is not the only top free agent running back on the market. Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis and Minnesota's Robert Smith also are unrestricted free agents. Second-tier backs available are Green Bay's Dorsey Levens, Seattle's Ricky Watters, the Giants' Tiki Barber and San Francisco's Charlie Garner.

        Dillon has impressed Bengals management this season by developing more speed to run away from defenders and by learning how to carry the ball in his right as well as his left hand. But Dillon does not play third downs. Brandon Bennett was used because he is a better pass receiver and blocker.

        Dillon also continues to have off-field problems, too. He was charged in August for allegedly striking his wife and will go to trial in two weeks in Federal Way, Wash.

        He repeatedly has denied hitting his wife and has matured into one of the Bengals' team leaders and its only marquee player.

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