The Cincinnati Bengals are making sure Jessie Bates III can't become a free agent for at least another year.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Bengals will use the franchise tag on Bates.
Per Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, the 2022 franchise tag value for safeties is estimated to be $13 million.
Bates has been with the Bengals since 2018 when he was drafted in the second round (No. 54 overall) in 2018 out of Wake Forest.
The Indiana native has started all 63 regular-season games he played with the Bengals.