Cap space

[Whatever]

(02-07-2022, 04:24 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Agreed.  That is why you tag him. If he plays like 2020/2022 post season Bates next year, you back the truck up. If he plays like 2021 regular season, you let him ealk a pick a safety in the draft. 

Bates had his opportunity this to prove he was worth a big long term deal.  Why would we FT him and pay him Top 5 money to give him another opportunity to earn a big contract?  If Bates wants to stay a Bengal and earn a long term deal, the honus is on him to sign a prove it type deal.

With the serious need for quality OL upgrades, there's just no way you can pay $13 million for what was arguably the worst starting S in the league last year.