Burrow took Bates to UFC 276

[*SHRacerX*]

(07-04-2022, 02:53 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Feel the same way. But I also didn't understand how him not getting a contract signed before last season weighed so heavily 
on his mind and affected his game so much. These guys are paid tons of money to play this game and that is what they need 
to ALWAYS concentrate on.

The money comes along with it and they are paid WAY more than the average person.

I hope Jessie plays on the Tag and plays great. He played great in the Playoffs so it is realistic.

It is also very realistic and pretty damn likely it is his last season with our Bengals. I am okay with it with the drafting of Dax.

Yeah, I hear ya on the concentration and the income relative to the average Americans, but they also need to make enough money in their relatively short careers to take care of them the rest of their lives.  Not many invest well.  They live a very lavish lifestyle (not all, but many) and with zero income other than a small NFL pension, funds run out quickly.  

Personally, I really want the ring this year while Bates is on the roster as I think of him as one of the guys that stuck it out during tough times and now has gotten to the top.  Always loved his play, his character, and his drive.  I don't begrudge him trying to earn every penny, but if you ask me if I was Bates and was offered a 4 year extension for somewhere around $56 million, I would have jumped at it regardless of what my agent said with guarantees, scale, etc.

He knows this team, the coaches, and the scheme.  He is a perfect fit.  The signing of Dax and Anderson doesn't prevent Bates from being part of the long term plans at all.  Lou loves 3 safety looks with versatile players.  Maybe Hill or Anderson take Bell's job in a few years?  Maybe they are excellent depth.  Maybe they can play CB?  You know the old saying, you can never have enough corners...well, it should say "secondary".  

Maybe Jesse is fearing a 2nd tag if he plays well....still, if that happens it will be around $16 million per and that would have given him $28 million over the past two years.  And he would still be prime for another bite of the apple at just 27 years of age.