Cincy Jungle · Jun 25, 2021
Jessie Bates will get the respect he deserves in 2021
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports At this point, we don’t expect Bengals players to get the recognition they deserve. After all, two of the greatest at their positions in NFL history, quarterback Ken Anderson and defensive back Ken Riley, are somehow still not in the Hall of Fame.
But the lack of respect that Jessie Bates III has received is at another level.
According to Pro Football Focus, in 2020, Bates accounted for three interceptions and 12 pass breakups - three more than any other safety - last year. Pro Football Reference, meanwhile, gave him 15 passes defended. For the year, he gave up just 19 catches on 35 targets for 178 yards and an opponent passer rating of 42.3.
