Sources: Bengals' Bates likely to sign with another team in free agency
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates is likely to leave the club and sign with another team when free agency opens, sources told theScore's NFL insider, Jordan Schultz.
Sources: #Bengals safety Jessie Bates III is likely to land on another team this off-season, sources tell @theScore.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 4, 2023
Bates, who just turned 26 and already has an All-Pro selection to his name, would be one of the most sought-after defensive players on the open market. pic.twitter.com/wnyEhpEoLw
The All-Pro safety played under the franchise tag last season after being unable to reach an extension with the Bengals.
Bates was an important player on the Bengals' defense in 2021 when they made it to the Super Bowl. He intercepted Matthew Stafford in their Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Bengals are slated to have four defensive starters hit free agency, including Bates, Germaine Pratt, Vonn Bell, and Eli Apple.
Bates, 26, had 71 tackles last season, the fewest in a campaign in his five-year career. He was the 24th highest-graded safety in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus.