07-16-2022, 06:01 PM
(07-16-2022, 12:07 AM)Whatever Wrote: The issue is that Bates's great '20 season when he had a 90.1 PFF grade is sandwiched in between poor '19 and '21 seasons where he graded 61.2 and 56.1.
Bates can play at an elite level. He just doesn't most of the time for various reasons. That's why he doesn't deserve to be paid like a Top 5 S and get a truck full of guaranteed money. The Bengals were dumb to FT him. After last year, it should have been clear an extension wasn't getting done.
2018- He had a PFF rating of 79.9 and was one of the top Safeties in the NFL.
2019- he had a bad start to the season(what player here didn't) and then had a strong finish to season. As he got more comfortable playing in a new system and a new role in the defense. His play dramatically improved down the stretch of the season.
2020- He was the best Safety in the league according PFF and made the 2nd all pro team.
2021- It's fair to say he had a bad season but he was also instrumental in the Bengals playoff run. According to pff he had a playoff rating of 90.
Additionally he has only missed 2 games in his entire career, has lead the team in solo tackles the past two seasons, 3 out 4 seasons he has had at least 100 tackles, he has been 2 time captain, and since 2019 has the highest forced incompleten rate in the NFL.
To say he doesn't deserve to get a top 5 contract is a bit absurd considering what he has done and what he will likely do in coming seasons.
