Jessie Bates and the Bengals not expected to reach an agreement

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates is looking for a new contract before the season starts. Unfortunately for the talented young safety, he and the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to strike a deal.

Both sides are not expected to agree to terms on an extension “at this time,” according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

The #Bengals and safety Jesse Bates III are not expected to reach a contract extension at this time, per source. Sides not progressing toward a deal. Bates, a 2022 free agent, is a major player coming off three interceptions, 15 pass breakups a year ago.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 10, 2021

Bates was drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 54th overall pick back in 2018. The six-foot-one Indiana native attended Wake Forest University where made second-team All-ACC in 2016, his redshirt freshmen year. Bates was also named to the USA TODAY freshman All-American team and the ACC All-Freshman first team that season. He had a total of 100 tackles, five interceptions, four past deflections, and one forced fumble to earn those honors as a freshman. Bates also returned punts for the Demon Deacons and returned one for a touchdown in 2017. He played two seasons at Wake Forest before declaring for the NFL draft.

Bates in the NFL

The Wake Forest standout was a game-one rookie starter for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former head coach Marvin Lewis was so impressed with Bates camp and preseason that he elected to start him over veteran George Iloka. Bates started all 16 games as a rookie and recorded a team-leading 111 tackles (73 solo). He also added in seven past deflexions, three interceptions, and one touchdown. That touchdown was a pick-six in a week eight victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to Pro Football focus, Bates finished off that year ranked as the 11th best safety in the league and has maintained that level of production finishing 2019 with 100 total tackles, nine past deflections, and three interceptions. In 2020 he finished with 109 tackles, 15 pass deflections, and three more interceptions.

Although Bates it’s still fairly young the 24-year-old has been a model of consistency in the secondary for the Bengals. Following a solid performance in 2020, he was announced to the NFL’s All-Pro second team.

According to Pro Football Talk, Bates has already said he would like to stay in Cincinnati earlier in the summer and continues to be a good soldier for the Bengals. He did not hold out and is currently practicing with the team. If the Bengals and Bates cannot come to an agreement, the next best option would be to use the franchise tag on him in 2020. That would at least hold Bates from hitting the open market for another season. Bates is currently scheduled to make $2.4 million in base salary this season.

(Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)

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