Bates recorded eight tackles (five solo) and one forced fumble during Sunday's 23-7 loss to Jacksonville.
Given his start to the campaign, this can almost be considered a slow night for Bates. The 2018 second-round pick has been outstanding through his first four games with the Falcons, totaling 32 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. Bates' production dipped during his final two campaigns in Cincinnati, but he's quickly reasserted himself as one of the top IDP options in 2023.
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Falcons' Jessie Bates: Headed to Atlanta
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Bates is in line to sign with the Falcons, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The Bengals have lost both their starting safeties within the first few hours of the NFL's legal tampering period, seeing Bates depart for Atlanta shortly after Vonn Bell reached terms with the Panthers. The silver lining for Cincinnati is a big opportunity ahead for 2022 first-round pick Dax Hill, who played only 131 defensive snaps in 15 games as a rookie. Bates, meanwhile, immediately becomes one of the best players for an Atlanta defense that's been bad for the past half-decade. He has a good chance to rebound from last year's career-low 71 tackles, though big-play opportunities figure to be fewer and further between unless the Falcons improve considerably from 2022.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Records four picks in fifth season
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Bates finished the regular season with a career-low 71 tackles and a career-high four interceptions in 16 appearances. He added 20 tackles in the Bengals' three postseason contests.
Bates was playing under the franchise tag for his fifth NFL season after he and the Bengals tried but failed to come to a long-term contract agreement. He hasn't completely closed the door on returning in 2023, but Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic suggests Bates is unlikely to be retained. The Bengals have an estimated $44 million in cap space available, but with extensions with quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins likely viewed as greater priorities, Cincinnati may not have much money left over for Bates. Cincinnati already prepared for Bates' possible departure by selecting safety Dax Hill in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Bounces back in win
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Bates recorded eight tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 27-24 win versus the Chiefs.
Bates had one of his strongest performances of the season as he led the team in tackles. After combining for just six tackles over the past two weeks, the former All Pro safety bounced back this week and helped limit Patrick Mahomes and one of the NFL's most explosive offenses. Bates will look to build off of this strong performance next week against the Browns.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: First double-digit tackle outing
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Bates recorded 10 tackles (four solo) in Monday's 32-13 defeat against the Browns.
While Bates finished as the Bengals' leading tackler in this blowout loss, the safety's production so far in 2022 has severely lacked compared to his previous four seasons, as he's recorded just 36 tackles (24 solo), two passes defended and an interception over eight games. Bates will look to repeat this prolific performance against the Panthers this coming Sunday.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Signs franchise tag
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Bates signed his franchise tag with the Bengals on Tuesday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Bates reported to training camp Tuesday for the first time this season and signed his $12.9 million franchise tag for 2022. The 2018 second-round pick had his worst statistical season last year, but he bounced back in the playoffs, recording more pass defenses (six) and interceptions (two) than he'd had during the regular season. He's played a prominent role in Cincinnati's secondary since he was drafted and should once again be on fantasy radars in IDP leagues.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Not reporting to camp Tuesday
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Bates won't report to Bengals training camp Tuesday with the rest of the team's veteran players, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
One of the NFL's premier safeties, Bates hit the ground running as a second-round pick in 2018 and hasn't looked back, averaging 110 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per 17 games played in four pro seasons. The Bengals predictably applied the franchise tag to Bates back in March, and after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on an extension before the July 15 deadline he's required to play out the upcoming campaign on the tag. With a holdout imminent, it remains to be seen how the situation will play out.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Plans on skipping training camp
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Bates has no intentions of reporting to training camp, nor playing on the franchise tag, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports.
Bates had the franchise tag applied to him by the Bengals in March, but he's yet to sign his contract tender and already skipped the team's voluntary OTAs. The 2018 second-round pick posted his least productive season of his career in 2021, totaling 88 tackles and one interception over 15 games, but his potential holdout would nonetheless be a huge blow to Cincinnati's defense in 2022. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bengals' final offer guaranteed Bates only $4 million more over five years than the franchise tag would have paid him.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Doubtful to see extension
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It's unlikely that Bates and the Bengals will come to terms on a contract extension before Friday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline for franchise-tagged players, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Bates had the franchise tag applied to him by the Bengals in March. The 25-year-old has yet to sign his contract tender and already skipped the team's voluntary OTAs due to his lack of an extension. Bates posted the least productive season of his career in 2021, totaling 88 tackles and one interception over 15 games, but his potential holdout would nonetheless be less than optimal for Cincinnati's defense as the coming season approaches.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Could skip OTAs
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Bates said he intends to take it day-by-day when asked if he'll join the Bengals for voluntary OTAs, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
The Bengals placed their franchise tag on Bates at the beginning of March. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a multi-year deal, but if they don't, Bates will operate under the terms of the franchise tag during the 2022 campaign. His comments suggest he may be willing to sit out if he's unhappy with the negotiation progress.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Franchise tag applied by Cincy
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The Bengals on Monday used their franchise tag on Bates, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.
Bates totaled 20 tackles (11 solo), six pass deflections and two interceptions across four postseason games during the team's Super Bowl run. With the move, Cincinnati will have until July 15 to work out a multi-year contract with the safety, but if they don't, Bates will operate under the terms of the franchise tag during the 2022 campaign.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Picks off first pass of season
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Bates totaled eight tackles (six solo) and one interception during Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Jets.
Sunday's performance was Bates' fourth game with at least eight tackles this season. He now has 50 stops through seven contests this year and is on pace for his fourth straight 100-plus tackle campaign. The 24-year-old safety's fantasy value has a solid floor due to his tackling totals, but if he can continue to force turnovers, then his fantasy ceiling will grow exponentially.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: No limitations Wednesday
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Bates (neck) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.
Bates missed last Thursday's win over the Jaguars, but he's back at practice with no limitations Wednesday. The 24-year-old should reclaim his starting role at free safety this weekend against Green Bay.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Posts 13 tackles
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Bates made 13 tackles (10 solo) and forced a fumble in Sunday's 19-7 loss to the Dolphins.
Bates put up his fourth double-digit tackling performance of the season. He's up to 88 tackles through 12 games, putting him on track to reach a career high in the category. The 2018 second-round pick has already registered a career-high 13 pass breakups as well.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Racks up 10 stops
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Bates posted 10 tackles and two pass breakups in Sunday's 33-25 win over the Jaguars.
Bates hit double-digit tackles for the second time in three weeks, and he's piled up five pass breakups through four games. The 23-year-old safety is averaging eight tackles per game and is on track for a third straight 100-tackle campaign. With an every-down role locked in, Bates should be deployed accordingly in IDP formats.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Another 100-tackle season
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Bates accumulated 100 tackles (71 solo), nine defended passes, three interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across 16 regular-season contests in 2019.
Bates has reached 100 total tackles in each of his two NFL seasons, solidifying his value as a solid IDP asset. The 22-year-old will reprise a starting role in Cincinnati's secondary when the 2020 season kicks off.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Registers four stops
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Bates made four solo tackles in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Patriots.
Bates is closing in on his second straight 100-tackle season, as he sits at 95 stops through 14 games. The 23-year-old has also notched a career-high eight pass breakups this season, rounding out as a solid IDP asset.
Bates had 12 tackles (eight solo) during Sunday's loss to the Jaguars.
Bates led the Bengals in tackles as he reached double digits for the second time this season. The 2018 second-round pick has been a solid IDP contributor at safety with 55 tackles (36 solo), one pass defensed and one fumble recovery in seven games.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Dealing with wrist issue
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Bates (wrist) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, Geoff Hobson of the Bengals' official site reports.
Bates practicing in some capacity with this new injury is a positive sign that he'll be able to play Sunday versus the 49ers. The second-year pro has massive value for the team, as he recorded 111 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions in his rookie year. If Bates isn't able to shake this issue, however, Brandon Wilson will take over as the team's starting free safety.
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Bengals' Jessie Bates: Rookie safety likely to start
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With the Bengals releasing safety George Iloka, Bates is likely to begin the year as the Bengals' starting free safety, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports.
Bates brings both excellent speed and above-average ball skills to the table. He's tentatively slated to start alongside Shawn Williams as the last line of defense in the Bengals secondary.
