REPORT: Bengals star unlikely to return to Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals defense had plenty of bright spots this past season. The secondary played better than expected, and the defensive line continued to succeed. That being said, changes could be coming. One major piece for the back end of the defense for the Bengals may already have one foot out the door. That would […]
The Cincinnati Bengals defense had plenty of bright spots this past season.
The secondary played better than expected, and the defensive line continued to succeed. That being said, changes could be coming.
One major piece for the back end of the defense for the Bengals may already have one foot out the door.
That would be star safety Jessie Bates III.
Bates had a career high in interceptions in 2022 with four.
He's been a massive contributor to the defense since his arrival in Cincy back in 2018. He has played at least fifteen games in every season with the Bengals.
Contract negotiations have hit a bit of a wall over the past year, though.
Last season, Bates played on the franchise tag for the Bengals. He and his camp weren't necessarily pleased about that, but it wasn't too surprising with the salary cap situation of the Bengals.
Jay Morrison, of The Athletic, says that Bates is "as good as gone" from Cincinnati.
The two sides just don't see his long-term contract in the same light, and the Bengals will probably move on.
They drafted a safety in last year's NFL Draft in Dax Hill that may step into a bigger role if Bates does leave in free agency.
It is a situation worth monitoring for fans, but they may not like the outcome if Bates doesn't return.
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