Jessie Bates III's holdout actually helped the Bengals in the end
The Cincinnati Bengals were without star safety Jessie Bates III for most of the offseason, but it actually helped the team in the end. For starters, Bates' uncertain future prompted the team to draft Dax Hill out of Michigan with the 31st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and so far, Hill looks like a […]
The Cincinnati Bengals were without star safety Jessie Bates III for most of the offseason, but it actually helped the team in the end.
For starters, Bates' uncertain future prompted the team to draft Dax Hill out of Michigan with the 31st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and so far, Hill looks like a stud. He should not only make an impact in 2022, but beyond, as well.
But a more direct effect from Bates is the fact he was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List after he returned. This saved the Cincinnati Bengals a roster spot, which allowed them some breathing room regarding final cuts on Tuesday.
"It helps you carry another body and not have to make a move there," Taylor told reporters Tuesday. "Really, [we were] just lucky in some ways that Jesse was as late as we was [because] we got these two weeks. It does help you get through this 54-man roster, initially. So, that's one silver lining of how that situation played out."
It's key because teams still can't place players on IR without it being a season-ending move. Players clear waivers after 12 p.m. ET and teams will place players on IR not long after.
Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for instance, had to cut a player like Logan Ryan in order to keep Ryan Jensen on the 53-man roster. The Buccaneers want to place him on short-term IR to give him a chance to return from a severe injury he suffered on the second day of training camp. There are plenty of other teams in this situation. But, thanks to Bates, the Bengals don't have to go through any of this since he comes off the exempt list at some point on Wednesday or Thursday.
"The exact timing allows us to get through tomorrow [Wednesday]," said Taylor. "Don't hold me to exactly when that has to be processed, but it's sometime over the next day or two."
Granted, the Buccaneers and Logan are expected to reunite once Jensen goes on IR and that's likely the case with a lot of other teams and players. However, there are plenty of other examples where teams are having to make cuts because of specific IR strategies and other strategies, of course.
The Bengals now have what looks to be a young, stud safety and they were able to use one of the NFL's rules to their advantage on a crucial day thanks to Bates' holdout.
Oh, and their star safety is back with the team. He isn't behind in terms of the playbook, either, as he stated during his latest press conference. And he's in ready to go and in great shape, so, it's not like he's going to be a hindrance regarding on-field production early-on.
At the end of the day, Bates' holdout helped the Bengals more than it hurt.
You can check out Zac Taylor's full presser, below:
