Steelers: 3 2022 free agent targets about to play in Super Bowl 56
By John Buhler
Cincinnati Bengals. Jessie Bates. 2. player. Pick Analysis. S. 56. Scouting Report
Jessie Bates will be getting paid this offseason, but will it be by the Bengals?
One player on the Bengals roster who is due for a massive pay day is safety Jessie Bates. The former second-round pick out of Wake Forest could be a player Cincinnati could conceivably use the franchise tag on, but that might be too newfangled for a franchise that does not trade. Bates has been quietly doing his thing with the Bengals for years, but could the Steelers be interested?
A huge advantage the Bengals have had the last few seasons is they have absolutely crushed it with their draft picks. From Joe Burrow in 2020 to Ja’Marr Chase in 2021 to Bates back in 2018, Cincinnati has done its homework come draft time. The question is if that will remain the same now that they are guaranteed to be picking outside of the top 30. Things will be getting harder.
As for the Steelers’ potential interest in Bates, adding him to the defensive backfield weakens a bitter divisional rival, as well as adds some potential relief if Minkah Fitzpatrick tests free agency after next season. Though the Bengals, the Steelers or whoever will have to pay up to get Bates’ services on a second contract, Pittsburgh does have the financial ammunition to pull this one off.
The Steelers have made it a point to add other teams’ star defensive backs in recent seasons.