Jessie Bates’ Thoughts on the Franchise Tag
Jessie Bates has been consistent in his stance on playing on a franchise tag. The Cincinnati Bengals’ safety does not want to. Bates still has yet to sign the franchise tag. While both Bates and the Bengals coaching staff want to stay together, they have not been able to agree on a contract. Bates said he would not play until he gets a long-term deal done.
How Will the Cincinnati Bengals be Affected?
If Bates sits out the 2022-’23 NFL season, the Bengals will be greatly affected. Bates is one of the NFL’s most distinguished safeties, compiling 408 tackles and 10 interceptions in his first four seasons. Bates’ 408 tackles are second among safeties since 2018. The team’s defensive leader and centerpiece has been Bates for the past few seasons. Without him, the Bengals will have a lot to overcome.
With Bates, the Bengals are for sure playoff contenders. Without Bates, I believe it’s fair to start questioning their capability of making a run as successful as their 2021-’22 season, especially since the defense has been the Bengals’ greatest struggle these past few seasons.
In the playoffs, Bates played at his best, proving his worth and importance to the overall success of the Cincinnati Bengals. I don’t think it would be wise to play without your defense’s best player if you didn’t have to. I know head coach Zac Taylor knows that as well, but how much is Taylor willing to give up for his defense? He is an offensive-minded coach who invested heavily in the offense over the past few years.
The Future of the Cincinnati Bengals
To be successful this season, I believe the Bengals will need to have Bates on the field. It’s time for the Bengals’ coaches to swallow their pride and do what it takes to keep Jessie Bates around for as long as possible.