Jessie Bates, Bengals fail to agree to extension. Here's what's next.
Jessie Bates and the Cincinnati Bengals failed to agree to a long-term contract extension ahead of Friday's 4 p.m. deadline and now it waits to be seen if the veteran safety will show up to training camp.
A source close to the situation told The Enquirer that Bates has no intention of signing the franchise tag. If he does not sign the tag by the NFL's Nov. 15 deadline, he'll have to sit out the remainder of the NFL season.
If Bates doesn't sign the tag, he would turn down a fully-guaranteed $13 million contract and won't be able to play for any NFL team this year due to the rules of the franchise tag. After a year's worth of contract negotiations, the Bengals and Bates' camp were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal.
How the Bengals and Bates got to this position:
Cincinnati’s front office and Bates tried to get a contract extension done in the offseason of 2021. The Bengals view their former second-round pick as a key piece in the foundation head coach Zac Taylor is building. Bates, not only a star player on the field, is also one of the most well-respected players in the locker as he was named a team captain last season.
The two sides were unable to come to an agreement before the start of the season although Bates was hoping it would get done.
“I’m super eager to get a deal done, I want to be here,” Bates said on July 29, 2021.
After a slower start to the season, Bates admitted the contract negotiation process weighed on him more than he thought it would. As the season went on, Bates started to play better. By the end of the 2021 season and through the playoffs, he was arguably the Bengals’ best player on defense.
The next opportunity for the Bengals and Bates’ camp to engage in contract negotiations was following Super Bowl 56. A deal was not agreed on by March 8, the NFL’s deadline for clubs to place the franchise tag on a player. The Bengals placed the tag on Bates to give themselves more time as the tag guarantees the player will play one more season under contract with his team.
Bates opted not to show up for the Bengals’ voluntary offseason program and train on his own. Several players spoke in favor for their teammate to receive a new deal.
“I obviously want him to get paid,” Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader said of Bates. “That’s my dog. But I keep telling him those fruits are gonna come. He’s put in the labor. He’s put in the work. And those fruits are gonna come, whether it’s here or somewhere else.”
After placing the tag in March, the clock started to tick. The Bengals and Bates had until 4 p.m. on Friday to finalize a long-term extension and failed to do so.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Bengals final offer to Bates only guaranteed $4 million more than what he would get if he eventually signs the franchise tag.
For the #Bengals and star S Jessie Bates: The team's final offer guaranteed Bates only $4M more than what he would get if he eventually signs the franchise tag. Big difference is the tag locks Bates in for one year while the Bengals' offer locked him in for 5 additional years.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2022
Bates has no desire to play on the tag and his future with the Bengals looks like now comes into question. It’s not uncommon in the NFL for players who are experiencing displeasure with their contract negotiations to hold out and show up for training camp. All eyes will be on Bates when the Bengals open training camp on July 27.
What does the safety market look like in the NFL?
It’s unclear what Bates is seeking in his new deal and what the Bengals offered him. Specific contract details like that are rarely shared with the public.
What is clear is that Bates feels he’s worth more than what Cincinnati has put on the table for him. Bates, 25 years old, hired top NFL agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First to negotiate this contract.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Minkah Fitzpatrick, 25, this summer, the safety market was reset. Fitzpatrick became the highest-paid safety in the league with an average annual salary of $18.4 million.
Here’s a breakdown of the five next highest-paid safeties in the NFL and their age:
Jamal Adams ($17.6 million)
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Age: 25
Guaranteed at signing: $36 million
Justin Simmons ($15.2 million)
Team: Denver Broncos
Age: 27
Guaranteed at signing: $32 million
Marcus Williams ($14 million)
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 27
Guaranteed at signing: $32 million
Kevin Byard ($14.1million)
Team: Tennessee Titans
Age: 25
Guaranteed at singing: $25 million
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jessie Bates, Cincinnati Bengals don't reach deal at NFL deadline
