NFL insider says Jessie Bates is a franchise tag candidate again; What it would cost the Bengals in 2023
The assumption throughout the 2022 season was that it would be Jessie Bates' final year with the Cincinnati Bengals. Bates, who was a second-team All-Pro safety in 2020, played on the franchise tag in 2022 after he wasn't able to come to an agreement on an extension with the Bengals. Cincinnati drafted Bates' replacement last […]
The assumption throughout the 2022 season was that it would be Jessie Bates' final year with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bates, who was a second-team All-Pro safety in 2020, played on the franchise tag in 2022 after he wasn't able to come to an agreement on an extension with the Bengals.
Cincinnati drafted Bates' replacement last spring in Dax Hill, seemingly confirming that 2022 would be it for Bates and the Bengals.
But that might not be the case.
ESPN's Adam Schefter, the most connected man in the media when it comes to the NFL, suggested on Tuesday that Bates is a franchise tag candidate again this offseason.
The franchise tag for a safety in 2023 will be $14.46 million. Last season, the franchise tag for a safety was $12.9 million.
If the Bengals tag Bates again, he would earn 120 percent of his salary last season. So that means if Cincinnati wants to tag him again, it would cost $15.48 million (which would be fully guaranteed).
One reason the Bengals haven't been able to come to an agreement with Bates is because of Joe Burrow's looming extension (and Ja'Marr Chase's expected extension after 2024). The Bengals need to clear as much longterm cap space as possible to accommodate lucrative raises for Burrow and Chase.
Cincinnati, however, could afford to run it back with Bates on a second franchise tag in 2023 since the massive salary cap hit from Burrow's extension (which should happen this offseason) won't really hit until 2024.
Bates is an incredibly important team leader on the defensive side of the ball. He's also the definition of a pro. If he was tagged again, he'd probably sit out OTAs and part of training camp, but just like last season, I'd expect to see him on the field when the season starts.
It's a tough call for Cincy. Bates deserves an extension and the Bengals would be pushing Bates' first big free agent contract down the road another year (Bates would be 27 next season when he finally becomes an unrestricted free agent).
In a perfect world, I think Bates would prefer to stay in Cincy on a longterm deal. But that obviously isn't going to happen.
But maybe he'd be alright with one more year in Cincinnati if it means another shot at a Super Bowl with the only team he's played for in the NFL.
It should be an interesting couple of weeks. The Bengals have to make a decision by the March 7 franchise tag deadline on whether or not they're going to tag Bates again.
Featured image via Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
