Why Jessie Bates won't sign a contract extension with the Bengals by the summer deadline
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates became a household name in February, thanks to his interception of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in Super Bowl LVI The Rams went on to win the Super Bowl, but Bates' memorable interception in the end zone kept the Bengals in the game. Going into the playoffs, Bates was […]
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates became a household name in February, thanks to his interception of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in Super Bowl LVI
The Rams went on to win the Super Bowl, but Bates' memorable interception in the end zone kept the Bengals in the game.
Going into the playoffs, Bates was already viewed as a key player for Cincinnati — he's only 25 and he's a team captain. That's the type of defensive player that franchises should keep. The interception in the Super Bowl, however, made him a bit more valuable. One great play shouldn't define a player's value, but when that one great play is in front of over 100 million people, it tends to have that effect.
Cincinnati placed the franchise tag on Bates earlier this week, meaning the team has four months to work out a contract extension. Otherwise, Bates will earn just under $13 million in guaranteed money in 2022.
Bates' market value, according to Spotrac, is a $76 million contract over five years ($15.3 million per year).
Bengals fans shouldn't expect Bates to sign an extension like that with Cincinnati before the deadline this summer.
Here's why.
Cincinnati and Bates have been working on an extension since before the 2021 season. If a deal didn't get done before now, why should we expect one to get done before this summer? Bates' value has only increased since the extension talks with the Bengals first started.
This seems like an easy decision for both parties. Bates is a key team leader. And he's thrived in Cincy. It makes sense for him to be a Bengal long-term.
Here's the problem — and it's something I mentioned recently — Cincinnati structures its contracts in an archaic manner. The Bengals don't typically guarantee money in contracts beyond the signing bonus. When Bates eventually signs a long-term deal — even if it's two years from now after he's been franchise tagged two years in a row (he'll still only be 27) — he's going to be looking for a lot of guaranteed money. That will likely be the biggest contract Bates will ever sign in his career. And he understandably wants to make it count.
And if you think Bates is going to back down, I've got some bad news for you. Bates shares an agent (David Mulugheta of athletes First) with superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey. And we all know Ramsey has manipulated his way off a roster before (remember the drama with the Jacksonville Jaguars).
I don't expect Bates to follow the Ramsey path and force his way out of Cincinnati. I think there's a deal to be made — the Bengals just need to make it happen. I do think, however, that ultimately we'll see Bates playing on the franchise tag in back-to-back seasons, and then he'll hit the open market in 2024.
It doesn't have to be this way. But until the Bengals fix how they write up their contracts, this is going to continue to be an issue.
They better figure it out fast if they plan to extend Joe Burrow after the 2022 season. Because Burrow is going to command a lot of guaranteed cash.
Featured image via Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
