Bleacher Report proposes that Bengals trade Jessie Bates to Eagles
The Cincinnati Bengals and Jessie Bates have yet to agree to terms on a contract extension and they have until July 15 to do so. If they can’t come to an agreement on an extension, Bates can either play on the franchise tag or sit out the season.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report proposed that the Bengals should trade Bates and said the Eagles should be the team they send him to. Kay mentions that Cincinnati would receive Philadelphia’s 2023 second-rounder in the deal.
Kay offered this analysis:
"Cincinnati.com’s Kelsey Conway reported that “it’s unlikely [Bates will] play in Cincinnati after this year” if he remains on the franchise tag past July 15, the final day the two parties have to come to terms on a multi-year deal.Teammates have been lobbying for the 2020 second-team All-Pro safety to get a new contract, but the Bengals should try to trade Bates before losing him next offseason and getting a conditional pick at best in return should negotiations stall.If it comes to that point, the Philadelphia Eagles should immediately get Cincinnati’s brass on the horn."
Should Bengals trade Jessie Bates to Eagles?
The team showed they didn’t feel confident in keeping Bates long-term with their decision to draft a safety and a cornerback with their first two picks in the draft, not to mention adding another safety on Day 3.
Considering the Bengals could lose both Bates and Vonn Bell next offseason, they made sure that they wouldn’t be screwed over if that’s the case. If the team doesn’t feel confident that they can keep Bates past this year, why not trade him and get something for him while they still can?
Kay mentions that the Eagles could immediately benefit from having Bates on the roster.
"The Eagles addressed several holes on their roster during the draft and free agency, but safety remains a concern. The team retained a proven veteran in Anthony Harris at a bargain price but still has concerns at the other starting spot, one that would likely go to Marcus Epps if the season began today."
A second-round pick in exchange for Bates would be a nice return and the stripes could continue to add to their secondary with that pick or use it to help their offense.
It was awesome to see the Bengals outperform their expectations this past year and they were able to do so because of all of their young talent. Unfortunately, every player’s contract expires at some point and then teams have to make tough decisions and that’s what happening with Bates.
Spotrac has Bates’ market value at five years worth $74 million with an annual salary of $14.8 million. While Bengals fans love Bates and what he’s done for the organization, paying that kind of money for a safety might not be the smartest investment.
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What do you think, Bengals fans? Do you want the organization to trade Bates?