“I want him to be here.” DJ Reader comments on Jessie Bates contract talks

As the Cincinnati Bengals build towards making another run to the Super Bowl, one storyline that they have been unable to hide from this offseason is finding a way to sign Jessie Bates long-term.

The team has been in contract talks with the 25-year-old safety on a long-term extension, but no deal has been reached, with the deadline to extend Bates being July 15.

If they cannot get a deal done, Bates, who is currently in line to play the 2022 season on the franchise tag that will pay him $12.9 million, would become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

Bates’ future came into further question when the team opted to draft Michigan safety Daxton Hill with its first-round pick in last month’s…