Tuesday is the deadline to franchise tag players for the 2022 season. The Cincinnati Bengals have made use of their tag, reportedly doing so to free safety Jessie Bates. That comes via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The #Bengals have tagged star S Jessie Bates, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2022
The two sides are reportedly still working towards striking a long-term deal. But the tag will allow more time to work on an extension.
Bates was the Bengals’ second round pick in the 2018 draft.