.@jlbiii3 makes his first appearance on the #NFLTop100. pic.twitter.com/JM5t5TfTob

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 15, 2021

(08-15-2021, 07:28 PM)pally Wrote: we'll see where he ranks among all safeties...but pay the man

.@jlbiii3 makes his first appearance on the #NFLTop100. pic.twitter.com/JM5t5TfTob

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 15, 2021

(08-15-2021, 08:29 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: That's great but...

why hasn't anyone told me about Col. Joseph Lee Burrow????

Father—
Today’s exercise proceeded as planned, and I was delighted with what I saw from the men. They were magnificent. I am eager to gain the field myself as we anticipate our first real action a month hence. Please tell Mother I am healthy and in good spirits.
—Joseph

— Col. Joseph Lee Burrow (@ColJoeBurrow) August 15, 2021

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There aren’t 89 players in the NFL that are better than Jessie Bates. No chance. https://t.co/M9Hw7u5Ulb

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 15, 2021

(08-15-2021, 07:47 PM)HarleyDog Wrote: 3rd?

(08-15-2021, 10:44 PM)pally Wrote: with the first 50 players announced, Bates is the 4th ranked safety

52 Minkah Fitzpatric
58 Tyrann Mathieu
77 Quandre Diggs

Jamal Adams and Budda Baker are left to rank so at best he ranks will rank as the 6th best

(08-15-2021, 09:08 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Trey Hendrickson is #73 btw.

(08-15-2021, 10:44 PM)pally Wrote: with the first 50 players announced, Bates is the 4th ranked safety

52 Minkah Fitzpatric
58 Tyrann Mathieu
77 Quandre Diggs

Jamal Adams and Budda Baker are left to rank so at best he ranks will rank as the 6th best

(08-16-2021, 10:00 AM)Sled21 Wrote: This is not a knock on Bates in any way shape or form, because we all love his play, but maybe he's listened to too many people around Cincinnati telling him he's the best. Seems on a national level that is not the common thought. (of course, this could be strictly due to market) But, this should give him and his agent something to ponder.

(08-16-2021, 02:19 AM)sandwedge Wrote: So with most assuming the Bengals are low balling him, how far off are they I wonder?

(08-16-2021, 03:24 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Pay him, yes... but don't overpay him. That's the game being played.

(08-16-2021, 03:26 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: 15 mil per year for 4 years should be good with everybody.

(08-16-2021, 12:25 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Not sure if the Bengals are "lowballing".  Look at the number of players who become free agents every year from teams all over the league.  None of those teams were able to work out deals with players.  So is EVERY team across the league "lowballing" their players?

The bigger the contract the more negotiating that is required.  Many times the deal is hung up over the number of years or the amount guaranteed instead of just the salary offered.  Sometimes with older players they will take a contract with big numbers on the back end that neither side thinks will ever get paid.  Both players and agents like to point at the big amount of the total contract even if they don't think they will collect it all.  But Bates is so young that he should still be in his prime at the end of this deal.

And finally, the Bengals could come out way ahead by keeping Bates this year for less than $3 million and making him the highest paid safety in the league next year.  Bates, like every NFL player, wants a raise before his contract is up.  It is a big value to him to get big guaranteed money now and not risk getting injured this year.  So if he wants that security he will have to give something back.

I still think it will get done if Bates really wants to be hear.  I know he has said in public that he wants to stay, but that is what 99% of players say when they are trying to get an extension.  Many times they "change their mind"  when they actually hit free agency.