Now that the Cincinnati Bengals made it to the Super Bowl, the next step is to reload and look to finish the job. But while looking for upgrades is key, so is keeping the players who can already contribute at a high level.

One key player who is due for a payday this offseason is safety Jessie Bates. He was a big part of Cincinnati's defense and should be locked in long-term as the franchise looks to put better players around him in the secondary. He made it clear, though, that he has no desire to be franchise tagged. Understandably, the 24-year-old is looking for more long-term security than the one-year tag ensues.

Defensive tackle D.J. Reader made a simple request to the Bengals: pay Bates.

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Bates was hugely important to the Bengals' defense, especially considering the weakness of their secondary. He was a member of the 2020 All-Pro Second Team and ranked fourth on the team in tackles this past season.

Not only will securing Bates for the long-term keep one of the key defenders around, but it will also provide a sense of security within the organization. This is not the time for the Bengals' front office to get cold feet. They will have to be comfortable spending money on key players, especially with Joe Burrow on a rookie contract.

Signing Bates should be an easy move for Cincinnati. While the franchise tag may patch things up, it will not hold for long, if at all.