08-09-2021, 03:45 PM
In last 7 days they said Bengals and Bates are eager to get a contract extension done before start of season. They know 24 year old Bates is best young Safety in NFL and probably best Defensive player on Bengals. At age 24, he is indeed part of The Future of building a good team around also young Joe Burrow. Bengals did sign Mixon and Hubbard to contract extensions, and Bates may take more money than either of them. Still, it is a move Bengals and Bates want to make. Bates wants to be a Bengal and Bengals want to keep the 2nd round draft pick that has turned into Team Leader and Star Player.
I'm hoping it gets done. The Bengals will not get out of Last Place by letting 24 year old Star Players leave. My word, he is not much older than college players, and already an NFL Star. Basic Common Sense demands signing him and avoiding Free Agency nonsense at end of year. Add in that the NFL is more about Safeties now. There was a time it was the Middle Linebacker such as Butkus. Some teams used 4 Linebackers, and all at least 3. Todays passing game demands less Linebackers and more Defensive Backs. If you can find a Ronnie Lott or an Ed Reed, that is the new Butkus. Bates at age 24 is the best young Lott or Reed in the NFL. Bengals should want Bates to play his career here.
I'm hoping it gets done. The Bengals will not get out of Last Place by letting 24 year old Star Players leave. My word, he is not much older than college players, and already an NFL Star. Basic Common Sense demands signing him and avoiding Free Agency nonsense at end of year. Add in that the NFL is more about Safeties now. There was a time it was the Middle Linebacker such as Butkus. Some teams used 4 Linebackers, and all at least 3. Todays passing game demands less Linebackers and more Defensive Backs. If you can find a Ronnie Lott or an Ed Reed, that is the new Butkus. Bates at age 24 is the best young Lott or Reed in the NFL. Bengals should want Bates to play his career here.
1968 Bengal Fan
