Cincinnati Bengals star safety Jessie Bates III has ended his holdout and has signed his franchise tender. Earlier this offseason the team decided to franchise tag their star safety and he began a holdout in the hopes of securing a long-term deal. Despite the two sides negotiating they were not able to come to a long-term deal this offseason. The fifth-year safety will play under the franchise tag this year and make $12.911 million. A long-term deal could be worked out next season in free agency unless the team decides to franchise tag him again.
#Bengals star safety Jessie Bates has now officially signed his franchise tag.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2022
Last year in the regular season with the Cincinnati Bengals, Jessie Bates III recorded 67 solo tackles, 88 total tackles, four passes defended, a fumble recovery he returned for 46 yards, and one interception he returned for 65 yards. In the 2022 NFL Playoffs, he recorded 11 solo tackles, 20 total tackles, six passes defended, and two interceptions he returned for zero yards. Bates and the Cincinnati Bengals came up just short this season in Super Bowl LVI. The team hopes to right their wrongs this season and win the Super Bowl.
We have made the following moves:
-Re-signed S Jessie Bates
-Placed S Brandon Wilson on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list
-Waived QB Drew Plitt— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 23, 2022
The Cincinnati Bengals have young and talented players across their roster and want to win a Super Bowl with this core set of players. Jessie Bates III is just 25 years old and considered a top-tier safety in the NFL. The focus this season will be to continue to play well and win games to compete for a championship. Next offseason will be the period when he focuses on getting paid what he deserves.
