Report: Bates to skip OTAs, training camp unless Bengals ink long-term deal

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates has no intentions of playing the 2022 season under the franchise tag, reports USA Today's Tyler Dragon.

Bates does not expect to attend Cincinnati's organized team activities in June or training camp in July without a long-term extension, Dragon adds. The defensive back is not subject to fines since he hasn't signed the franchise offer sheet.

The Bengals tagged Bates this year after failing to come up with an extension. Although Bates, who joined the team as a second-round pick in 2018, has publicly expressed his intentions to remain in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future, the two sides reportedly aren't close to agreeing on a deal.

Bates would receive $12.91 million if he plays under the tag in 2022, according to Spotrac.

The 25-year-old stood out during the Bengals' playoff run, which ended in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI, but his regular-season production took a dip last year. The Wake Forest product, who appeared in 95% of Cincy's defensive snaps, racked up 88 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception in 15 regular-season games in 2021 - all career lows.

Bates previously earned a second-team All-Pro nod in 2020 after registering 109 tackles and a career-high 15 pass breakups. He also amassed three interceptions in each of his first three NFL seasons.

The deadline for franchise-tagged players to ink a long-term contract is July 15.

Cincinnati could be ready to move on from Bates after drafting two safeties this year, including Daxton Hill in the first round.

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