Well, this is not the news we wanted to hear today.
According to ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Cincinnati Bengals are not expected to reach an agreement with All-Pro safety Jessie Bates on a long-term contract.
“The Bengals and safety Jesse Bates III are not expected to reach a contract extension at this time, per source,” Fowler wrote on Twitter. “Sides not progressing toward a deal. Bates, a 2022 free agent, is a major player coming off three interceptions, 15 pass breakups a year ago.”
It’s unclear if the Bengals and Bates are tabling contract talks or if they’re just going so poorly that there’s little-to-no hope of a deal getting done.