Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates enjoyed another strong season for the team in 2021, helping them advance to the Super Bowl, where they were eventually bested by the Los Angeles Rams. After yet another solid season, Bates was looking to be paid, though the Bengals didn't seem to be on the same page as the 24-year-old, as they placed the franchise tag on him in March. With the NFL offseason rolling along, Bates revealed his firm stance on the tag, as reported by Tyler Dragon of USA Today.
Jessie Bates and the Cincinnati Bengals are at an impasse.
The Bengals placed Bates under the franchise tag in March. But he hasn’t signed the one-year contract — and doesn’t plan to.
The safety has no intentions of playing the 2022 season under the franchise tag, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports+. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Per Dragon, Bates has yet to sign the one-year contract associated with the franchise tag- and has no intention of playing the 2022 season under the agreement. That leaves Bates and the Bengals at a massive roadblock this NFL offseason.
Bates has tallied at least 100 tackles in three of four seasons while amassing 10 career interceptions. The tag would pay the Bengals safety around $12.9 million in 2022.
The Wake Forest product reportedly won't be present at OTAs or training camp if he and the Bengals don't agree to a long-term extension before then.
Bates knows his worth as one of the best defenders on the team and won't settle for less. Do the Bengals know his worth?
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