Bengals star safety Jessie Bates likely to hold out for new contract

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the most important player on the team. Arguably the second-most important player on the roster is star safety Jessie Bates.

After reaching the Super Bowl for the first time since 1989, the Bengals are looking to keep the momentum rolling. They have one of the most exciting, young teams in the league. However, that momentum could be halted for now with the latest news of Bates and the franchise failing to reach a new long-term contract extension by Friday's franchise tag deadline. 

Bates could hold out, which would not be the best of news for Bengals fans who have waited to see a Super Bowl contender for a long, long time.

Bates is easily one of the top players on Cincinnati's defense and one of the better safeties in the entire NFL. The former Wake Forest star has started all 63 career games that he has played in, suiting up 16 games in three of his four seasons. No. 30 has provided a steady presence for the Bengals while recording three interceptions in every season except for 2021, when he recorded one. 

He has over 400 tackles in his career with at least 100 coming in each of his first three seasons. Bates has a career output of 35 passes defensed, which is also very impressive. His best season came in 2020 when he recorded 109 tackles, three interceptions, a career-high 15 passes defensed, an opposing passer rating of just 70.7 and an opponent completion percentage of just 54.3.

The 2020 Second-Team All-Pro is clearly a cornerstone piece of the Bengals organization. Still just 25, Bates' career is just beginning. The franchise might want to lock him in now before another team gets the chance. The Bengals cannot win a Super Bowl without him. The Indiana native deserves a long-term contract at whatever price appears to be fair for both parties.