Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates didn't have the greatest regular season, but he turned it up when it mattered most. The 24-year-old was crucial for the Bengals in their run to the Super Bowl, coming up with a big play or two in every playoff game for Cincinnati. While the team didn't win the Super Bowl, Bates solidified himself as one of the game's best defensive backs, and is now lined up to get paid like one. With free agency looming, Bates made clear that he wants to return to the Bengals, however, he did make clear that he wasn't interested in playing under the franchise tag, via NFL Now.

 

In an appearance on NFL Now on Wednesday, Bates discussed the possibility of signing a long-term deal with the Bengals. The star safety seemed hopeful about getting a deal done but declared that he'd rather avoid playing under the franchise tag.

“That's a conversation I think that we'll have with my agency and my team. I put a lot of trust in them with this whole process. I'm just trying to stay focused, control what I can. We'll see. Hopefully I'm not under a franchise tag. That's something that needs to be discussed as NFLPA a little bit. Some of the top guys got hurt under a franchise tag. It's tough; you only get one shot at this. You just got to play your cards right, I guess you could say.”

If Bates were to play under the franchise tag in 2022, he'd be due to make $13.5 million from the Bengals. However, the franchise tag comes with significant risk, considering it's only a one-year deal that would guarantee Bates nothing beyond the 2022 season. If he were to sustain a serious injury, having been signed under the franchise tag could result in him missing out on a lot of guaranteed money over the next few seasons.

It makes sense that Bates would prefer to reach a long-term agreement with the Bengals, but it remains to be seen if those talks are underway, or if he'll end up getting his wishes.