Sometime within the next three months, the Cincinnati Bengals would love to get Jessie Bates III’s signature on a contract extension.
Bates is the exact player the Bengals like to keep around; he’s young, nearing elite status, and is growing into a leadership role.
The deal that Bates will eventually sign will make him one of the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. That obviously matters, but it’s not what Bates is advertising.
After the conclusion of mandatory minicamp, Bates talked with Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com and was asked about an upcoming deal with his current team.