One of the most underrated players in the league to this point is Cincinnati Bengals safety, Jessie Bates. The Bengals took Bates in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and he’s gone on to be one of the best in the league at his position.
Naturally, it makes sense that the Bengals would want Bates to be in Cincinnati long-term and it’s definitely going to be a storyline as we inch closer to the 2021 season. Bates spoke to the media on Tuesday and mentioned that he’s excited whenever contract extension talks that come up.
"Anytime (there's) contract extension (talk), then you get very excited. ... I feel like I'm a core piece in Cincinnati. My family's 3 hours away so I would love to be here but my main goal is to take that next level that I keep saying, as a leader on this team." -Jessie Bates
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) June 15, 2021
Per the tweet above, Bates mentions that he feels he’s an important piece for the Bengals and how his family isn’t far from Cincinnati. These are all reasons for why he’d want to remain in this organization but he’s going to continue playing hard and trying to do what’s best for him moving forward.
Bengals safety Jessie Bates is due for a contract extension.
Bates has been one of the best safeties in the league and that’s why it’s imperative for the Bengals to try and extend him before the season kicks off in September. If Bates manages to get to free agency, it’ll be really difficult to retain him.
Safeties don’t cost big money, at least not compared to most of the other positions in the league, with the highest-paid safety being Justin Simmons of the Broncos, per Over the Cap. Simmons signed a four-year deal worth $61 million so that’s around what the Bengals can expect to pay Bates if they want him to stay in Cincinnati past this season.
Bates recently made a list of the best players under the age of 25 and for good reason. He’s one of the most important players on this team and while safety isn’t a crucial position in the league, Bates has consistently been a shining star on a defense that is anything but. The Bengals owe it to him and themselves to keep him in Cincinnati moving forward.
From the quotes Bates shared with the media, it appears he’d be in favor of a contract extension with the team who drafted him.