Free-agent safety Jessie Bates is signing an undisclosed deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, according to a source. The Falcons add a much-needed upgrade to their secondary in the form of Bates. The 26-year-old started his career with the Cincinnati Bengals with three straight seasons of 100-plus total tackles. In 16 regular season starts in 2022, he had a career-low 71 tackles (38 solo), a career-high four interceptions, eight passes defensed and a forced fumble for Cincy. He could rebound with his move to Atlanta and the NFC South, but Bates is no longer a top IDP defensive back target heading into the 2023 campaign. UPDATE: Bates signed a four-year, $64.02 million deal.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III isn't expected to return to the team, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. After months of unsuccessful contract negotiations, the 26-year-old played under the franchise tag during the 2022-23 campaign, finishing with 71 total tackles, the fewest of his career. While Bates was a primary defensive contributor in the postseason, Cincinnati is now focused on retaining Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, meaning he will likely be suiting up for a new team in 2023-24. However, the All-Pro has an excellent chance to bounce back wherever he ends up next.
Jessie Bates III "As Good As Gone" From Cincinnati
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III is "as good as gone," according to Jay Morrison of The Athletic, who also covers the team. The 25-year-old has spent his entire five-year career in Cincinnati, amassing 478 total tackles, 43 passes defensed, and 14 interceptions. The Bengals and Bates couldn't agree on a long-term extension last offseason, so the team used the franchise tag on him in March, which he reluctantly signed in August. However, with Cincy already on rocky terms with Bates' representation while prioritizing new deals for Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and potentially Tee Higgins, there's a good chance the former Demon Deacon will be playing somewhere else this season. With that said, if Bates doesn't receive a substantial offer from another club, he may sign for less and remain in Cincinnati.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler expects the Cincinnati Bengals to re-sign safety Jessie Bates III this offseason. Cincinnati will also have to consider extensions for quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason, but Bates has made far too many plays for the Bengals secondary to let him go, including five interceptions in the last three seasons. In order to retain him, Cincy will have to spend near the top of the market for safeties. The 25-year-old finished the 2022 campaign with a career-low 71 tackles but also had a career-high four interceptions in 16 regular season games while playing under the franchise tag. The Bengals will have an estimated $44 million in salary cap space entering the 2023 season.
Cincinnati Plans For Jessie Bates To Have No Restrictions Week 1
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates is expected to log a full workload come Week 1 of the regular season, per head coach Zac Taylor. Bates was late to report to training camp due to contract negotiations, but it appears the Bengals defense will still have one of its key contributors at a full-go for a rivalry game vs. the Steelers. Bates has been a star of the Cincinnati secondary since he was taken in the second round of the 2018 Draft out of Wake Forest. The 25-year-old has logged three seasons with 100 or more tackles since entering the league, in addition to 35 passes defended and 10 interceptions in his career. With Bates in the mix, the Bengals' defense is on the precipice of fantasy relevance in 12-team leagues, particularly with solid matchups in two of their first three regular-season matchups.
Cincinnati Bengals star safety Jessie Bates, who didn't report to training camp due to failed contract negotiations, has returned to the team's facilities, according to a source. The 25-year-old officially signed his $12.9 million franchise tag. Bates finished the 2021 season with 88 tackles (67 solo), three tackles for loss, one interception, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery in 15 regular season games. He'll continue to be a key contributor in Cincinnati's secondary and will be in play as a starting defensive back in IDP fantasy leagues. Bates has recorded 100-plus tackles in three of his four NFL seasons.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III won't report to training camp on Tuesday. The franchise safety will holdout until he gets a new contract. However, the deadline for a long-term extension has already passed. The 25-year-old already said that he won't play on a franchise tag. At this point, Bates getting traded seems like the best resolution considering the circumstances. There is still time for Bates to change his mind or the two sides to resolve their differences. Although, it seems unlikely that Bates is going to suit up for the Bengals anytime soon.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III isn't likely to be traded, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The 25-year-old reportedly won't play on a franchise tag this season after both sides couldn't reach an agreement ahead of the July 15 deadline. As a result, Bates isn't expected at camp, although Cincy is undoubtedly hoping he'll change his mind and be on the field for the 2022-23 campaign. Fantasy managers are also, especially since the Bengals won't be as potent on the defensive end without him.
Jessie Bates Doesn't Plan To Play On Franchise Tag
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates has no intentions of reporting to training camp or playing on the franchise tag in 2022, according to a league source. The two sides weren't able to come to terms on a long-term contract extension before Friday's deadline to sign franchise-tagged players to extensions. The 25-year-old hasn't signed his franchise tender and also skipped all of organized team activities in the spring. The Bengals' final offer to Bates guaranteed him only $4 million more total over five years than the franchise tag would pay him this season, so Bates is obviously unhappy with how things went down. He had his least productive season in 2021, but Bates is still a big part of Cincy's secondary.
The Cincinnati Bengals and star safety Jessie Bates were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract extension by Friday's deadline, so Bates will play the 2022 season under the franchise tag. The Bengals final offer guaranteed him only $4 million more than he would have received if he eventually signs the franchise tag. The tag locks Bates in for one year, while the team's offer would have locked him in for five additional years. The 25-year-old hasn't signed his franchise tender and already skipped organized team activities this spring. In 15 regular season games in 2021, Bates had a career-low 88 tackles (67 solo), three tackles for loss, one interception, four passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
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