Jessie Bates III is ranked third overall on Pro Football Network’s Top 50 Free Agents and first among all available safeties. Bates will either receive an expensive franchise tag, a blockbuster contract extension in Cincinnati, or a rich free agency deal with another team. Let’s review Bates’ stats and his expiring rookie contract, and we’ll discuss potential landing spots for the talented free safety.
Update (3/7/22): As expected, Bates will remain with the Bengals under the franchise tag. He will earn $13.5 million in 2022 if he and the Bengals do not agree on a new contract.
Jessie Bates III: Free Agency Overview
Bates is one of the top pure free safeties in the game. Thus, if he hits the open market, he will become one of the highest-paid, if not the highest-paid safety in the NFL. He is tall, athletic, rangy, and a key piece of the Bengals’ Super Bowl runner-up defense. Bates is a sound tackler, extremely fast, and has a nose for the football.
Recapping Bates’ 2021 season
Bates had a solid season one year after recording 109 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 15 pass deflections in 2020, earning second-team All-Pro honors. He finished 2021 with 88 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery.
For his career, Bates has generated 408 career tackles, 10 interceptions, 35 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.
Bates’ contract estimate and salary cap implications
The franchise tender for safeties is a relatively affordable $13 million. The Bengals, notoriously reluctant to hand out top-of-the-market contracts, are likely to retain Bates by making him their franchise player if they can’t hammer out a contract extension. That could be a placeholder for a future, more lucrative deal.
The highest-paid safeties in terms of average per year are Justin Simmons ($15.25 million), Budda Baker ($14.75 million), Eddie Jackson ($14.6 million), Kevin Byard ($14.1 million), Landon Collins ($14 million), Tyrann Mathieu ($14 million), Devin McCourty ($11.5 million), and John Johnson III ($11.25 million).
To join that elite category in terms of pay, Bates will need the Bengals to do more than the franchise tender in terms of average per year.
Bates commented on his contract situation in August, saying, “I think as far as my contract goes, I guess I haven’t done enough yet to be considered one of the top safeties in the league, which is fine.” He later admitted that he was playing “a little pissed off” because of his unresolved contract status.
Possible landing spots for Bates
Bates’ most likely destination is Cincinnati. But if Bates hits free agency, the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears all make sense and should explore the safety market.
What they’re saying about Bates and where he might play in 2022
“I think everyone knows we want Jessie to be a part of this. We’ll just continue to work through those discussions.” — Bengals coach Zac Taylor on Bates’ contract status.