1 year agoCincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III is "as good as gone," according to Jay Morrison of The Athletic, who also covers the team. The 25-year-old has spent his entire five-year career in Cincinnati, amassing 478 total tackles, 43 passes defensed, and 14 interceptions. The Bengals and Bates couldn't agree on a long-term extension last offseason, so the team used the franchise tag on him in March, which he reluctantly signed in August. However, with Cincy already on rocky terms with Bates' representation while prioritizing new deals for Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and potentially Tee Higgins, there's a good chance the former Demon Deacon will be playing somewhere else this season. With that said, if Bates doesn't receive a substantial offer from another club, he may sign for less and remain in Cincinnati.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBaller
Source: Jay Morrison