As expected, the Cincinnati Bengals had a big turnout for the start of their offseason program this week.
While voluntary, a few notable absences were worth pointing out on Monday.
Most notable? Tee Higgins and Jonah Williams.
Speaking with the media, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor noted that it’s not unusual for guys to not show up right away while they finish their training programs or otherwise.
“We always have a really good turnout from our guys,” Taylor said. “Our season’s been running long here these last couple of years. I’m sure there will be some guys who are still in a little bit of routine wherever they’re at for another couple weeks. That’s generally pretty normal.”
Still, Higgins and Williams stick out massively for different reasons.
With Williams, he’s got the trade request in after the team added Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency, with the team planning to shift him to right tackle
And with Higgins, he’s entering the final year of his deal and extension eligible, a deal that seems like it could come through at any moment if it’s going to happen.
So for both guys, there’s no reason for them to risk injuries in voluntary workouts as of right now. But the absences don’t feel like simple coincidences, which makes them notable.
Receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd and linebacker Logan Wilson weren’t there during media time either, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway.
Zac Taylor meets with the media. https://t.co/ObzV5ZcSZk
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 17, 2023
