Bengals Rumors: 5 potential landing spots for Jessie Bates

4. Carolina Panthers

This one could be of the most realistic and appealing options for Jessie Bates as a player. The Carolina Panthers are not in a winning situation currently, but Bates would fit perfectly into a starting spot in the secondary, and they could pay him precisely what he desires over multiple seasons. The Panthers also hold the most current cap space in the NFL.

Carolina could use a high IQ and an efficient player who can be the leader of the defense on the backend and someone who has the experience playing in big games against prominent opponents. Carolina plays in an underrated division with two very competitive teams (Bucs and Saints).

The Falcons also have a lot of talent, but like the Panthers, there are a lot of unknowns and questions that need to be answered before teams across the league take them seriously as being a threat.

Bates would bring an instant impact mentality to the Panthers, and it might not put them in a winning situation next season, but it could be a piece to the puzzle for the culture and roster they are trying to build.

The Cincinnati Bengals would need to get something in return, and the Panthers could be the most lenient to make an offer that appeals to the Bengals for them to want to cut ties with Bates instead of waiting it out and hoping Bates returns before the season starts.