NFL reporter confirms suspicion regarding Bengals' dispute
The NFL's franchise tag deadline becomes official on Friday, July 15 at 4 p.m. ET and the popular thought leading up to that moment has been that the Cincinnati Bengals and safety Jessie Bates III will not come to an agreement on a long-term deal before then. It's important to remember that Bates hasn't signed […]
The NFL's franchise tag deadline becomes official on Friday, July 15 at 4 p.m. ET and the popular thought leading up to that moment has been that the Cincinnati Bengals and safety Jessie Bates III will not come to an agreement on a long-term deal before then.
It's important to remember that Bates hasn't signed his franchise tag tender. Therefore, he is not at risk of being fined by the team for missing training camp or the regular season.
Meaning, Bates could sit out the entire year, if he wants.
With all that being said NFL Network's Tom Pelissero confirmed what many have suspected all along: The Bengals and Bates are not going to reach a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline.
"I was told flatly yesterday, 'This is not getting done', Pelissero said on the most recent episode of Good Morning Football. "The Bengals structure contracts in such a way they don't do any future guarantees before Year 1. That makes it more difficult, in a lot of cases, to get deals done.
"So it appears that Bates will probably ending up playing under the $12.9 million franchise tender."
If the two parties don't come to an agreement then Bates will have two options: sit out the year or play under the franchise tag, as Pelissero notes.
So while there is still some slight hope for a couple of the other tagged players, the saga between the Bengals and Bates is officially over.
For now, at least.
Featured image via Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
