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          Why Jessie Bates III's contract situation marks a key moment in Cincinnati Bengals' quest for sustained success

          One of Jessie Bates III's two postseason interceptions came in Super Bowl LVI. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
          • Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 26, 2022, 11:00 AM
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              Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN's NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).
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          CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III said all the right things for months, even if they weren’t easy.

          On the field, Bates did a lot of the right things, too. He had two key playoff interceptions in the Bengals’ run to Super Bowl LVI, where Cincinnati lost 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. It was the Bengals’ first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.

          The extended postseason run delayed the inevitable conversation about Bates’ future as his rookie deal is set to expire. And almost immediately, Cincinnati’s ability to sustain its success from last season will be tested.

          Bates has been at the core of a healthy locker room dynamic that was often cited for the Bengals’ 2021 success. He has also earned the vocal support of his teammates for a new contract as the franchise tag looms over him. What happens with Bates in the coming weeks, if not days, will prove to be a key point in Cincinnati’s build for the future.

          In an interview Wednesday, Bates said he “absolutely” wants to be back in Cincinnati while also acknowledging the team chemistry that fostered the postseason run.

          “It’s hard to find a positive environment, a positive work environment, and I’ve expressed that to Cincinnati,” Bates told NFL Network on Wednesday.

          Teams can apply the one-year franchise tag from now until March 8. That short-term deal is projected to be worth $13.5 million.

          But many could argue he’s worth a lot more after the way he ended his fourth NFL season.

          In addition to those two interceptions, including one against the Rams in the Super Bowl, he had six pass deflections in four playoff games and held receivers 6.8% beneath their expected completion rate when he was the nearest defender, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

          It was a stark contrast from where he started the season, when he admittedly didn’t play as well as he would have hoped. However, assessing those struggles requires the proper context.

          Ahead of the 2021 season, Bates and his agent, David Mulugheta, sought a contract extension after he was graded by Pro Football Focus as the top safety in the NFL in 2020. However, the Bengals opted to extend defensive end Sam Hubbard instead. In an August interview, Bates said it was clear the team didn’t value him as one of the best at his position, and after Week 1, he said he’ll play “a little pissed off.” In November, the safety said he might have been pressing because of the contract situation.

          “I feel like I'm at a better headspace now than I was at the beginning of the season,” Bates said in November. “[I was] so caught [up] on proving the wrong people right, and the main thing I should be focusing on is proving the right people right.”

          That’s exactly what he did, and the Bengals won the AFC North and earned their first playoff win in 31 years. Bates played a pivotal role.

          “He's always been consistent,” Bengals defensive tackle D.J. Reader said in January. “He's never wavered. He's somebody you want in your foxhole. Me as a person, I don't go about that easily.”

          Reader is just one of the many teammates who have been vocal about giving Bates a long-term contract extension instead of the franchise tag. Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton reissued a plea for Bates’ new deal on Twitter earlier in the week.

          In his interview on Wednesday, Bates said he doesn’t need the validation of being one of the most expensive players at his position.

          “I’m not too worried about the ego part of being the highest-paid safety,” Bates said. “But I do know value over cost.”

          Coach Zac Taylor praised the team’s culture throughout the season, including after the loss to the Rams. And he made a point out of singling out Bates.

          “I've really been proud of him,” Taylor said. “He's a big part of what we do. We're really proud of how he's led this team and how he's played for us, really over the last four years.”

          Taylor said he believes everyone knows how much Cincinnati wants Bates to be part of its future.

          Whatever happens will be one of the first big moments in Cincinnati’s quest to repeat as AFC champion.

          “You’re not just going to get exactly what you want, whenever you want it,” Bates said. “It’s just something that’s going to happen. I know it will. I’ve put the work in. I’ve done my part.”