The Cincinnati Bengals may be in the market for a new starting safety this offseason as veteran All-Pro safety Jessie Bates, who has played his entire career with the Bengals, may be playing for a different team in 2023.
According to Jay Morrison of The Athletic (via NBC Sports EDGE), Bates is considered “as good as gone” from the Bengals as the safety prepares to hit the unrestricted free agent market this offseason.
Per NBC Sports EDGE: “Bates was a good solider and played last year on the franchise tag, he’ll likely be one of the NFL’s biggest free agents this offseason with a number of teams pursuing safety help. The Bengals drafted Dax Hill last offseason to take Bates’ spot and though Bates has said he’d love to return to Cincinnati, the actions are speaking louder than the words on Cincinnati’s desire (or lack thereof) to give him a long-term deal.”
Jessie Bates is as good as gone after playing 2022 on the franchise tag. He’ll get a big contract elsewhere. The Bengals will do everything possible to bring back Vonn Bell, who also is a free agent. Bell still is only 28; he’s cheaper and a team captain who can mentor Dax Hill, the team’s 2022 first-round pick who barely played as a rookie.”
As the Bengals look to retool for another deep playoff run next season it appears they will be moving forward without Bates.
