Steelers Daily: Bates Bails on Bengals, Texans Settle Watson Suit

Browns QB Deshaun Watson
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 12: Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass before an NFL Divisional round playoff game between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs on January 12, 2020 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

Safety Jesse Bates and the Cincinnati Bengals have reached an impasse and another hurdle of the Deshaun Watson legal saga has been cleared, but we still don’t know if he’ll play the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022.

With Friday’s deadline passing before Bates and the Bengals reached a new deal, he will be a free agent next season after playing under a franchise tag in 2022. The sides are still far apart on a long-term contract extension, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

How the Steelers’ deal with Minkah Fitzpatrick, which set the safety market and made him the highest-paid player at the position in the NFL, may have thrown a wrench in things. — Nick Farabaugh

? The Houston Texans have settled lawsuits with 30 women that alleged that the team aided Deshaun Watson in finding massage therapists and encouraged his behavior in performing inappropriate sexual acts with them. We still don’t know what the punishment will be for Watson, but he is not expected to be available for the Steelers’ Week 3 game in Cleveland.

? Pat Freiermuth needs deeper targets to reach his full potential. More in Chris Carter’s Classroom.

? An Alex Highsmith breakout season could take the Steelers defense to a whole other level. — Cale Berger

? Cam Heyward says the Steelers have faith in Mitch Trubisky to be the starting quarterback. — Chris Ward

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