The futures of Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati Bengals, and Orlando Brown Jr., Kansas City Chiefs are uncertain – Cincinnati Bengals blog

Two Super Bowl contenders are still trying figure out if their best players will be available this season.

Cincinnati Bengals Safety Jessie Bates III And Kansas City Chiefs Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. they have not yet signed their franchise-tag tenders. The players could not sign. secure a long-term deal by the NFL’s July 15 deadline and cannot negotiate contracts until after the season.

The short-term outlook however remains uncertain. Kansas City still believes Brown will be in a position to protect Patrick Mahomes, one of the league’s top quarterbacks. Bates is being sought by the Bengals to anchor the secondary and defense that led Cincinnati to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1983.

Here’s a look at the situations involving Bates and Brown as training camp approaches.

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How did they get there?

ESPN Bengals reporter Ben BabyBates and the Bengals attempted to reach a long-term agreement before the 2021 offseason but negotiations stalled. “I guess I haven’t done enough yet to be considered one of the top safeties in this league, which is fine,” Bates said last August. When Bates was given the franchise tag in March, the team believed its offer should have been enough to secure Bates’ long-term future in Cincinnati. “Over the past year, we’ve tried to extend his contract here in Cincinnati, and while that hasn’t come to pass, we want him here for 2022 to be a part of what we think should be an exciting football season and bright future for our organization,” executive vice president Katie Blackburn said in a statement in March.

ESPN Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher: Brown was acquired by the Chiefs last year. Baltimore Ravens After he asked for a trade. Brown preferred to play left tackle, something the Ravens wouldn’t allow him to do, but the Chiefs would. Brown played the last year of his rookie contract in 2018, which was the final year. Brown was named Chiefs’ franchise player in 2018 shortly after his season. This meant that they had to offer him a $16.6 million contract for a one-year deal to prevent him becoming a free agent. ESPN reported that the sides had recently met to discuss a long-term agreement. Chiefs’ offer to be $139 million over six yearsIncluding $95 million for the first five.

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What are your options?

Baby: Both sides have very limited options. Since Bates hasn’t signed his franchise tender, Cincinnati cannot trade him, according to the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union. Bates will be owed $12.9million if he signs his tender. Bates has until Nov. 15, to sign the tender. Otherwise, he’ll be ineligible to play until 2023.

TeicherBrown has the option to sign the $16.6million contract for one year or to opt out. It’s up to him. The Chiefs could also trade Brown, but it’s difficult to picture any other team willing and able at this point of the year to pay Brown beyond what the Chiefs offered.

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What happens if there’s a parting of the ways?

BabyCincinnati created a contingency plan to deal with a post-Bates world. The Bengals drafted Michigan safety Dax Hill With their first-round selection. With Bates absent from offseason workouts amid his contract situation, Hill took over as Cincinnati’s starting free safety. Hill could be relying on Hill sooner than expected if Bates doesn’t intend to play on the franchise tags.

Teicher: If Brown refuses to sign the one-year contract, the Chiefs do not have an obvious candidate for his replacement. They have several options for backup tackles Lucas NiangNiang, who was a third-round draft pick in 2020. However, Niang has only played right tackle for Chiefs. He also missed offseason practice due to a torn patellar tendon which ended his 2021 season early. Chiefs have also had Geron ChristianHe is a 16-year veteran of the NFL and has been a starting quarterback for 16 of his games. Darian KinnardThe Chiefs selected him as a fifth-round draft selection. The Chiefs used guard Joe Thuney Thuney played well at left tackle during Brown’s injury-related game last season. Andy Reid said Friday that Thuney could be an option. If that’s what we need, we’ll do it. As free agents, there are many accomplished veterans such as former Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher.