Skip to main content

Jessie Bates Will 'Absolutely' Be Ready for Bengals' Opener Against Steelers

The 25-year-old discussed his return on Wednesday.

CINCINNATI —  Jessie Bates is back. 

The Bengals' safety left no doubt that he'll be ready for the Bengals' regular season opener against the Steelers. 

"Absolutely," he said without hesitation. "It's been great. It's a blessing to be back."

Bates won't participate in practice this week, but he'll do some individual work and conditioning. The team will likely activate him from the exempt list next week so he can start practicing with the team. 

A lot of thoughts went through Bates' mind this offseason, especially after the team took two safeties in the draft, but he never seriously considered sitting out. 

"I think I love this game too much to sit out a whole year," Bates said. 

The 25-year-old has the right mindset going into the biggest season of his career. 

"I think I can go out there right now and play," Bates said. "I'm looking at this as an opportunity to prove why I'm one of the best safeties in the league."

Bates will make $12.91 million on the franchise tag this season. He's set to become a free agent next March.

For more on the Bengals, watch the video below and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Make sure you bookmark All Bengals for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

You May Also Like:

Joe Burrow Discusses Jessie Bates' Return to Bengals' Defense

La'el Collins Praises Rookie Cordell Volson

La'el Collins Participates in Team Drills

Four Veteran Offensive Linemen Bengals Could Sign

National Analyst Makes Bold Prediction For Joe Burrow and Bengals

Joe Burrow Participates in 11-on-11s, OL Battle Continues

Joe Burrow Opens Up About Weight Loss After Appendectomy

Analyzing Jackson Carman and Cordell Volson's Performance Against Cardinals

Jessie Bates Congratulates Derwin James After Record Extension

Joe Burrow Downplays Being on Cover of Sports Illustrated

Bengals Bites: Cordell Volson Pushing Jackson Carman For Left Guard Job

Jackson Carman Dealing With Elbow Issue

Bengals Bites: Burrow's Back as Left Guard Battle Heats Up

Joe Burrow Returns to Practice Following Appendectomy

A.J. Green Praises Bengals in Return to Cincinnati

Trent Taylor and Kendric Pryor Flash in Crowded Receiver Room

Winners and Losers From Bengals' Loss to Cardinals

Postgame Observations: OL Struggles, Bengals Fall to Cards in Preseason Opener

Bengals OL Preview: Free Agent Haul Changes Landscape For Offense

An In-Depth Look at the Future of the Bengals' Safeties

Tee Higgins Has Hilarious Reaction to La'el Collins Getting Cleared

Tee Higgins Impresses During 1-on-1s

Bengals Unveil Uniform Schedule for 2022 Regular Season

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bengals all the time!

Subscribe to the All Bengals YouTube channel

Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like Our FaceBook Page

Subscribe and follow the ONLY Daily Bengals Podcast

Follow on TikTok