Safety Jessie Bates III wants to prove worth to Bengals 'and other teams as well'

Cincinnati Bengals star safety and 2020 second-team All-Pro selection Jessie Bates III made it publicly known as far back as February that he wanted to avoid playing on the franchise tag this fall. 

Bates won't get his wish. The Bengals ultimately used the franchise tag to retain his services, and the two parties were unable to come to an agreement on a long-term contract before the July 15 deadline to sign tagged players came and went. 

The 25-year-old remained away from the team's offseason workouts and elected against participating in training camp sessions but rejoined the Bengals and signed his franchise tender on Tuesday. He made it clear while speaking with reporters on Wednesday that he wants to get paid next winter, either by his current employer or a different club. 

"It's a great opportunity to continue to present what I'm about, who I am to this franchise and other teams as well," Bates said of the upcoming season, per Ben Baby of ESPN. "Like I said, I'm looking at this as an opportunity to prove that I'm one of the best safeties in this league."

Bates shined during Cincinnati's postseason journey that ended with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI and likely would've received impressive financial guarantees had he hit the open market in March. Over four playoff games, he tallied 20 total tackles, two interceptions and six pass breakups. 

This past spring, the Bengals spent a first-round draft selection on safety and Michigan Wolverines product Dax Hill. Hill received first-team reps during Bates' holdout and could eventually replace the veteran. 

Bates will earn roughly $12.91 million on the franchise tag for 2022.