According to Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals and S Jessie Bates are not expected to reach an agreement on an extension before the start of the season.
Fowler says the two sides are not progressing toward a deal. Both sides expressed hope earlier this offseason that something would get done.
Broncos S Justin Simmons is at the top of the market in terms of annual salary at $15.2 milion, so Cincinnati will likely have to come close to this or maybe even beat it to re-sign Bates.
It’s worth mentioning that they will have their franchise tag available next year if need be.
Bates, 24, is a former second-round pick of the Bengals back in 2018. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year rookie contract worth $4,947,818 that included a signing bonus of $1,678,412.
Bates will be an unrestricted free agent in 2022.
In 2020, Bates appeared in all 16 games for the Bengals and recorded 109 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumbles and 15 pass deflections.
We have him included in our Top 50 – 2022 NFL Free Agents List.
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