Teven Jenkins made the move to right guard for the Bears’ second preseason game. Head coach Matt Eberflus was impressed with how quickly he picked up the position
The NFL's last remaining holdout is over.
Jessie Bates III rejoined the Cincinnati Bengals by signing his franchise tender on Tuesday. The star safety had been holding out in search of a long-term contract, but now he'll play out the 2022 season on a one-year, $12.91 million deal.
Bates was one of several big-name players who were holding out (or in) ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Some wound up landing long-term deals, like San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Others, like Bates and Chicago Bears linebacker Roquan Smith, returned to their respective teams without a new contract in hand.
Bates and Smith are now scheduled to hit free agency in 2023.
