Safety Jessie Bates didn’t get the long-term contract extension he wanted from the Bengals this offseason, so he hasn’t been involved in any of the team’s work since they lost to the Rams in the Super Bowl. The Bengals meet the Rams for joint practices and a preseason game this week. They also reportedly see Bates. Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Bates is at the team’s facility on Tuesday. There is no word on whether he has officially signed his franchise tag offer, and there were reports that he would not play this season under its terms, but that view may change with the start of the season less than three weeks away. If Bates signs it, he will be guaranteed $12.91 million through the 2022 season and be on track for free agency next year. His signing would also allow him to step onto the practice field to begin the process of preparing to be on the field against the Steelers in Week 1.
