WATCH: Jessie Bates won’t play under franchise tag for Cincinnati Bengals, 3 trades that make sense

Mar. 22, 2023 – 28:20 – Set to become a free agent this past offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals made sure to place the franchise tag on safety Jessie Bates III. This meant that the Bengals and only the Bengals would have the chance at negotiating a long-term contract with the 25-year-old defender. Yet, here we are two months later and Bates has yet to actually sign the franchise tender for $12.9 million.