02-24-2022, 02:46 PM
(02-24-2022, 01:11 AM)bfine32 Wrote: True...it's why I said if you want to pay Bates as an elite Safety, be prepared to say bye bye to Bell.
It's OK if that's the route you want to go.
The smart thing to do may be to tag Bates, and look to take a safety pretty early in the draft.... See if the draft pick can grow into an at least competent Bates replacement, at a fraction of the cost. Would he be "as good" as Bates?? Likely not.
But would a, then, 2nd year safety, plus money to throw at Bell and help fill out the roster be better than Bates?? Maybe.... It's certainly up for debate, and I understand why the Bengals aren't willing to just give Bates a blank check. It's a tough decision, and I expect negotiations to continue to be slow because of it.
