Jessie Bates posts heartfelt goodbye to Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are in a new era when it comes to the safety position. Last week, they signed Nick Scott to a three-year deal for $12 million. This was an attempt to make up for losing not just Vonn Bell but Jesse Bates in free agency. Speaking of Bates, he posted a touching farewell […]
The Cincinnati Bengals are in a new era when it comes to the safety position. Last week, they signed Nick Scott to a three-year deal for $12 million.
This was an attempt to make up for losing not just Vonn Bell but Jesse Bates in free agency.
Speaking of Bates, he posted a touching farewell to the Bengals on Monday.
Bates was drafted by the Bengals in the second round in 2018, and he was quite productive.
Over his first three campaigns in Cincinnati, Bates registered over 100 tackles on each. When the Bengals reached the Super Bowl in 2021, Bates was solid again with 88 tackles and an interception, and he added two more interceptions in the playoffs (one coming in the Super Bowl).
After that, things got a little dicey between Bates and the organization.
Bates was looking for a long-term commitment from Cincinnati. However, they placed the franchise tag on him for $12.9 million last March, and Bates held out in frustration.
When August rolled around, Bates signed the tag, and he had another good year for the Bengals with 71 tackles and a career-high four interceptions.
Bates is now a member of the Atlanta Falcons after signing a four-year deal for 64.02 million last week. However, there's little doubt he'll be forgotten in Cincinnati.
