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The Cincinnati Bengals can’t do much but wait for the NFL and NFLPA to iron out the details of training camp and the mere arrival of players at team families, leaving big names like A.J. Green and Trae Waynes swinging aimlessly in the wind.
Ongoing negotiations between the two parties suggest a reduced roster size for camp. There are also rumblings of players being able to opt out of the entire season.
Meanwhile, Waynes has been left in a sort of limbo after moving his family to Cincinnati. The Bengals are one of many teams that won’t allow third parties to perform the medical checks necessary to finalize his free-agent deal.
In the case of Green, we’re now 10 days out from the deadline for teams to agree to long-term extensions with franchised players. Otherwise, the veteran wideout will have to play 2020 on the tag.
With Green, the Bengals clearly weren’t going to agree to a long-term deal without first seeing if he can stay healthy. Extension money now figures to go to running back Joe Mixon instead.
Keep in mind the current unknown status of report dates and rules means the Bengals — like most of the league — have yet to sign a rookie player to a deal.
In other words, critical details such as the above help to explain why it’s important to keep a close eye on the ongoing talks between the NFL and NFLPA as we get ready to embark on one of the most unique seasons in league history.
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