The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly leaning towards applying the franchise tag to star free safety Jessie Bates III, according to USA Today’s Tyler Dragon.
While the tag will lock Bates in for next season, the two sides will continue to negotiate towards a long-term extension. The franchise tag would compensate Bates around $13 million for the 2022 season.
Entering his fifth year out of Wake Forest, Bates has been one of the better safeties in the league over the last two season. He has recorded 408 total tackles and ten interceptions over his career in Cincinnati.