Bengals place franchise tag on star safety Jessie Bates III

Cincinnati Bengals 2020 Second-Team All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III make it clear last month he wanted to sign a long-term contract either with his current employer or a different team in free agency. He wanted to avoid the franchise tag coming off his stellar play through a run that included featuring in a Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams. 

Bates did not get his wish. 

Per Michael Baca of the NFL's website, the Bengals placed the franchise tag on Bates on Monday. The 2018 second-round draft selection is on track to earn roughly $13.5 million for the 2022 season unless he signs a new deal with the Bengals before the July 15 deadline. 

"Jessie has been an important part of this organization both on the field and in the locker room," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in an official statement. "I'm excited about the opportunity for Jessie to be with us again this year as we continue to improve our team."

During the 2021 regular season, Bates tallied 88 total tackles, an interception and four pass breakups, and he then recorded 20 total tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups across four playoff contests.

"That's a conversation I think that we'll have with my agency and my team," Bates said of the franchise tag on Feb. 23. "I put a lot of trust in them with this whole process. I'm just trying to stay focused, control what I can. We'll see. Hopefully I'm not under a franchise tag. That's something that needs to be discussed as NFLPA a little bit. Some of the top guys got hurt under a franchise tag. It's tough; you only get one shot at this. You just got to play your cards right, I guess you could say." 

The 25-year-old will hope Monday's development is merely part of the process in negotiating a deal that promises him better financial guarantees that he and the Bengals will sign before training camp.