Time is running out for the Cincinnati Bengals and Jessie Bates III to agree on a contract extension before free agency begins.
If Bates is unsigned by March 14th, clubs aside from the Bengals can legally begin courting him with offers, and he can officially sign elsewhere on March 16th when the NFL league year begins.
That’s unlikely to happen, though, because Bates is expected to be given the franchise tag by the Bengals, per USA Today NFL insider and former Bengals beat writer Tyler Dragon.
The Bengals are likely going to franchise tag Jessie Bates as they continue to try to negotiate a long-term extension with the safety, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.