CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III will be under contract with the team for at least one more season.
Bates was given the franchise tag designation ahead of Tuesday's deadline, the team announced on Monday. Bates was on the verge of becoming a free agent once his rookie deal expired at the end of the league year.
"Over the past year, we've tried to extend his contract here in Cincinnati," Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said in a statement. "While that hasn't come to pass, we want him here for 2022 to be a part of what we think should be an exciting football season and bright future for our organization.