02-23-2022, 09:44 PM
Losing Bates would be catastrophic for a couple reasons. The main reason is the defense, and specifically the secondary, carried us down the stretch and through the playoffs. A lot of the exotic looks we did against KC are possible because the safeties we have are experienced and in general good players. The other issue is because we don’t even have a potential replacement on the roster right now. Had we had a mid round safety learning in the background for a year or two we’d have more leverage but we don’t.
This is not an either or situation, the idea the line has to suffer to keep Bates is false. I’m sure the reason the deal isn’t done is the reason that in reality we probably won’t sign a ton of big free agents (not won’t sign any but some people expecting a ton will be let down) and that is upfront signing bonus. I’ve said it in another thread but cash does play a factor in this and as wild as it seems the Bengals while worth a lot don’t have massive cash reserves like some teams. This isn’t an excuse just the reality that gets lost in the discussion of cap, as cap is just accounting not a real life.
This is not an either or situation, the idea the line has to suffer to keep Bates is false. I’m sure the reason the deal isn’t done is the reason that in reality we probably won’t sign a ton of big free agents (not won’t sign any but some people expecting a ton will be let down) and that is upfront signing bonus. I’ve said it in another thread but cash does play a factor in this and as wild as it seems the Bengals while worth a lot don’t have massive cash reserves like some teams. This isn’t an excuse just the reality that gets lost in the discussion of cap, as cap is just accounting not a real life.
