Josh Allen Contract Extension

[*SHRacerX*]

(08-19-2021, 05:49 PM)TJ528 Wrote: I personally think, the longer you wait to sign Bates the higher that contract could potentially be.  

I think this all comes down to how much does the Bengals front office value safeties?  

The Bengals loved having Zeitler at guard and knew he was one of the best in the NFL, but they weren't going to pay him that amount because dont believe in paying guards. 

Same could be true for saftey.  The Bengals could think Bates is a hell of a guy, but they arent going to give him $15-20M because that type of money goes to DL, OT, WR, ect.  

I hear that about Zeitler in reference to the Bengals "not paying guards", but there is not a person on these boards that wanted them to pay the $12 million per year (which was top of the market at that time) for Zeitler.  He's a solid guard, but he is not a Quinten Nelson.  They did invest a 2nd round pick on a guard, and although it isn't direct dollars, it is a lot of value placed on the position.  Just like when they drafted Zeitler in Rd 1.

I think extending that belief to safety is also just Debbie Downer logic.  They pay their elite players.  Simple as that, and their marketing team has been pimping Bates as the #1 safety in the league all offseason.  Bates seems to want to be here, but he won't be taking any home town discount (nor should he) as his agent is known for one thing:  highest dollar contracts for the top tier players.

I will all but guarantee Bates is signed for his next contract here, but I just don't know when that will be.  The Bengals have all the leverage right now.  They could wait until next year, and then tag him, which is reasonable for a safety.  Then two years from now, pony up $20 million per year.  I would rather them pay him now and lock him in, as you suggest, but it isn't mandatory by any stretch.