NFL Insider Believes Jessie Bates Will Play This Season Without a New Contract
CINCINNATI — Bengals safety Jessie Bates is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The 24-year-old would like to sign a long-term deal in Cincinnati, but one NFL insider doesn't think it's going to happen before the start of the regular season.
"The safety market is pretty clear–$14 million to $15 million per year gets you in the door–so if the Bengals offered more of a John Johnson III deal ($11 million per year), that's a nonstarter," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote. "I'd look for Bates to play out this year at a high level, forcing the team to apply the franchise tag or let him walk in free agency, where he would be greeted with a generous deal. Fellow safeties Tyrann Mathieu (Kansas City) and Landon Collins (Washington) each hit the $14 million plateau in 2019 free agency. Bates would likely be able to surpass that."
Bates made it clear that initial contract negotiations haven't gone well.
"I guess I haven't done enough yet to be considered one of the top safeties in this league," Bates said earlier this month. "I think this will probably be my last time that I speak on the contract just because I think it can get a little messy as far as thinking about it too much."
For more on the Bengals, including the latest news and breakdowns, subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Bates' comments fall in line with what Fowler has reported in recent weeks.
"A source said a deal is unlikely at this time," he wrote.
Finding a way to sign Bates before the start of the season makes sense for a Bengals team that's hoping to make a big jump this season. He's a young player that should be entering his prime and he's coming off of a breakout season.
These things can change quickly, but Bates and the Bengals are in a stare down with the start of the regular season less than three weeks away.
Read Fowler's entire article here.
Make sure you bookmark AllBengals for the latest training camp news, including exclusive interviews, highlights and so much more!
You May Also Like:
Mike Hilton Believes Joe Burrow Will be Comeback Player of the Year
Ja'Marr Chase and Penei Sewell Among NFL's Lowest Graded First-Round Picks
Blackout Over: Joe Burrow Pays Homage to Michael Scott
Colin Kaepernick With Higher Rating Than Joe Burrow?
Bengals' Offense Explodes Behind Big Days From Burrow, Higgins and Chase
Watch: Highlights from Monday's Practice, Including a One-Handed Grab by Chase
Dez Bryant Defends Ja'Marr Chase, Believes the Rookie Will Figure it Out
The Latest on Ja'Marr Chase and the Offensive Line
Joseph Ossai Expected to Miss Entire Season
Ja'Marr Chase's Drops Have Officially Become an Issue
Postgame Observations: Bengals Lose in Washington 17-13
Film Breakdown: In-Depth Breakdown of the Bengals' Offensive and Defensive Lines
An In-Depth Look at the Bengals' Wide Receiver Battle
Joe Burrow Lobbying to Play in Bengals' Preseason Finale
A.J. Green Continues to Impress at Cardinals Training Camp
Injury Roundup: The Latest on Joseph Ossai, Trayveon Williams and other Injuries
Joe Burrow Gives Details on Rehab: "Every Workout to Me was Life or Death"
Bengals Undrafted Rookie Darius Hodge is Ready for the Moment
Watch Highlights From Tuesday's Practice
How Jamal Adams' Contract Impacts Jessie Bates' Negotiations With the Bengals
Watch: Joe Mixon Blocks Ndamukong Suh in Pass Protection
Bengals Rookie OL D'Ante Smith Continues to Push for Starting Job
Training Camp Report: Ja'Marr Chase, Joe Burrow Shine Bright in Practice
Watch: Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals' Offense Shine in Team Drills
Analyst Believes Bengals' AFC North Rival is a Darkhorse Super Bowl Contender
Two Bengals Make NFL's Top 100 List
Bengals Waive Three Players Following Preseason Win Over Buccaneers
Snap Count Breakdown From Bengals' Win Over Buccaneers
Postgame Observations: Bengals Beat Bucs 19-14 in Preseason Opener
Watch: Joseph Ossai and Trey Hendrickson Sack Tom Brady
NFL Insider: The Bengals Are Going to be One of the Most Exciting Teams in the NFL
Film Room: How Taylor & Pollack Can Use Wide Zone to Beat Modern Defenses
Look: Bengals 2021 Jersey Schedule Revealed
The Bengals Don't Have Any Margin For Error When it Comes to Bates' Future
Watch: Ja'Marr Chase, Jessie Bates Make Big Plays During Practice
Jessie Bates Gives Blunt Answer When Asked About New Contract
Three Bengals That Have Flashed Their Potential This Week
Joe Burrow Feeling Comfortable in Pocket After Slow Start
Watch: Highlights of Burrow, the OL and Secondary
Joe Burrow on AFC North: "We're Coming to Challenge the Division"
Elizabeth Blackburn: "We Have High Expectations" This Season
Report: Jessie Bates and Bengals Not Close to Long-Term Agreement
Duke Tobin on Jackson Carman: "He's Gotta Get Himself in Peak Shape"
Duke Tobin Not Concerned About Ja'Marr Chase Despite Talk of Slow Start
Ricardo Allen: Joe Burrow Reminds Me of Matt Ryan
Auden Tate is off to an Impressive Start
Zac Taylor Offers Up Big-Time Praise for D'Ante Smith
Joe Burrow Keeping Expectations in Check as Recovery Continues
Joe Mixon Bullish on Bengals' Offense: "Everybody Should Be Excited"
A look at Frank Pollack's Wide Zone Scheme and How it Will Impact Joe Mixon
Watch: Highlights From Wednesday's Practice Include Battle in the Trenches
Vonn Bell Praises Bengals' Defense, Likes What He's Seen From Ja'Marr Chase
Watch: Joe Burrow Connects With Ja'Marr Chase Deep Downfield
Watch Practice Highlights of Jessie Bates, Ja'Marr Chase and More
Bengals Legend: Joe Burrow is "Better Than I Ever Was"
Watch: Video Breakdown from Bengals Training Camp
Watch Highlights from Day 4 of Bengals Training Camp
Watch Highlights from Day 3 of Bengals Training Camp
Film Breakdown: Why Ja'Marr Chase Has a Chance to be Special
Day One: Three Observations From Bengals Training Camp Practice
Mike Brown Bullish on O-Line: They're Going to "Surprise People"
A Breakdown of the Bengals Toughest Games on the 2021 Schedule
Three Down Look: Bengals Defense Under Pressure to Create Pressure
Joe Burrow Fully Cleared, But Don't Expect to See Him in the Preseason
Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Makes Amazing One-Handed Catch
Ken Anderson Has Big-Time Praise for Joe Burrow
Film Breakdown: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for Left Tackle Jonah Williams
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly From Vonn Bell's First Season in Stripes
Mike Brown Praises NFL Legend: 'The Greatest QB I Ever Saw Play'
Former NFL Scout Believes Chase and Burrow Will Have Huge Season
Film Breakdown: DJ Reader Should Be an Impact Player for the Bengals
Join the Faces of Who Dey Nation for Thursday Night Football
-----
Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time!
Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals
