The Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on safety Jessie Bates in March, meaning Bates would play the upcoming season on the franchise tag number - about $13 million - if he doesn't reach a long-term deal with the team by July 15.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Friday night via Twitter that there isn't a lot of optimism that the Bengals and Bates, 25, will bridge the gap between the tag number and the top of the safety market - in excess of $18 million - before that deadline next week.
Bates, who has played his first four NFL seasons in Cincinnati, joined Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie in Las Vegas last week for UFC 276.