Up to now, the Cincinnati Bengals and safety Jessie Bates III continue to be at a stalemate.
For now, Bates can remain in Cincinnati for one more season after being offered a franchise tag worth $12.9 million.
But anything beyond 2022 remains bleak for both sides.
The Bengals did offer him an extension but Bates declined because it entailed only $17 million in guaranteed money.
That amount won’t entice him to agree, especially because it’s just $5 million more than what he will receive this season.
However, some positive development might happen after the Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James got his lucrative extension.
Same position (safety) and agent (David Mulugheta) that were involved in the negotiations between the Bengals and Jessie Bates. https://t.co/zJSp5YnqMj
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 17, 2022
ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter shared, “Derwin James and the Chargers have agreed on a massive 4-year $76.4M extension, which averages $19.133M a year and resets the safety market. This deal makes James the highest paid safety in NFL history, per source.”
That update has ESPN’s Ben Baby taking note that James plays the same position as Bates and shares the same agent, David Mulugheta.
Could this be a hint that Bates will get the money he deserves, after all?
What’s Going Against Bates
There’s no question that Bates had a tremendous impact on the Bengals during their Super Bowl run last season.
Unfortunately, he is a victim of being on a team with a great roster.
The Bengals are offering him a low contract extension because they have to prepare for what’s coming.
After the 2022 season, quarterback Joe Burrow will be eligible for a contract extension and that won’t come cheap.
Likewise, the likes of Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase will be eating big chunks of their cap space.
Therefore, the Bengals are playing the odds here by deferring more money to the positions that highly matter.
That’s not a knock against Bates but that’s just how the NFL’s salary cap works.
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