Only Days Left Before Season to Re-Sign Bates

[CJD]

One of two things will happen:

1. Jessie Bates takes a below market (or maybe right at market) deal that keeps him here long term.

2. The Bengals let him play his final contract year and then franchise tag him in 2022.

The franchise tag is currently lower than what Bates is expected to make and the second consecutive franchise tag ( with the 20% mark up) is still looking like it'll be approximately what Bates is expected to make.

So unless Bates "buys" those three years of control the Bengals have of him at below market value, the Bengals have no real reason to extend him outside of morale.

And I don't think Troy Blackburn is all that concerned with morale...