After breaking the 40-yard dash record at the 2017 NFL Combine, the Cincinnati Bengals took a chance on Washington wide receiver John Ross, taking him with the ninth-overall pick in that year's draft.
Fast forward three years and 2020 might be Ross' final season as a Bengal. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals informed the fourth-year pro that they would decline his fifth-year option, which will make him an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 season.
When he's actually made it on to the field, Ross has shown flashes on what got him drafted so high in 2017. However, the problem is that the former UW star has been hindered by injuries and hasn't been able to stay on the field consistently.
Ross only played three games as a rookie and didn't catch a single pass as he was hindered by a shoulder injury. While Ross only managed 210 yards in 13 games during his second year, he did rack up seven touchdowns.
Last season was supposed his breakout year, and at first, things were looking promising. In the first two weeks, the speedy wideout had recorded a combined 11 catches for 270 yards and three touchdowns.
However, things would slow down for Ross after that, suffering yet another shoulder injury which forced him to miss eight games in the middle of the season.
The Bengals recently selected quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, which could help give Ross a fresh start as he has admittedly never really benefitted from strong quarterback play.
Ross will have the chance to make an impact in the Bengals' passing game alongside more proven players like A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd and try to earn himself a new long-term deal, whether in Cincinnati or elsewhere.
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