Bengals safety Jessie Bates has reportedly returned to the team’s facilities for the first time since the start of training camp, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Bates, a 2020 second-team All-Pro, had been away from the team due to failed contract negotiations with the franchise. The Bengals front office opted to place the franchise tag on the rising fifth-year player, but he had yet to sign the deal as of earlier this week.
Not only is Bates back in the building, but he now also plans to sign his franchise tender, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The one-year deal will pay the 25-year-old nearly $13 million in 2022.
