Of all the notable players missing the start of Cincinnati Bengals OTAs this week, none stood out more than wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
But head coach Zac Taylor? He's not sweating it at all.
Taylor emphasized his confidence in the team, giving Bengals fans a sense of deja vu after similar conversations in previous years. "I think that they'll get to work at the necessary time. And really, we have a high turnout for voluntary workouts," Taylor mentioned, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. "I told the guys I understand it's voluntary. I appreciate them showing up. The guys who don't are still working hard elsewhere, and they'll be back at the right times. And the beauty is we know those guys, we know what they're about, and that they'll be ready and focused when it's time to come back."
Here are some key points:
- High Trust in Players: Taylor trusts his players to show up and perform when needed.
- Voluntary Workouts: There's a high turnout, which Taylor appreciates.
- No Worries: The coach isn't concerned about those absent; he knows they're working hard elsewhere.
Chase working out away from the team? That’s nothing new. And no, it’s not tied to his contract extension talks, which he's indicated he's in no rush to address.
The real head-turner is Higgins, the franchise-tagged star who has yet to sign. However, it was always expected that training camp, not spring OTAs, would be the time he'd sign and hit the field under the tag—unless an extension comes through before the July 15 deadline.
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