NFL Rumors: Bengals' Jessie Bates III 'As Good As Gone' in Free Agency, per Insider

The Cincinnati Bengals defense is likely going to look a bit different next season as safety Jessie Bates seems set to leave in free agency, according to Jay Morrison of The Athletic.

In a blurb about the Bengals needing to upgrade their safety positions, Morrison wrote that Bates is "as good as gone after playing 2022 on the franchise tag." The fifth year safety will instead look to land a big contract elsewhere.

Bates, 25, was an All-Pro in 2020 and has been among the best at his positions since entering the league in 2018.

Cincinnati selected Bates in the second round of the 2018 draft out of Wake Forest. Together with Vonn Bell the Bengals had one of the best safety duos in the NFL, combining for eight interceptions last season.

In 2022, Bates finished with a career-low 71 total tackles but continued to show why he's one of the best safeties in the league with four interceptions, the best mark of his career. He has 14 interceptions during his time with the organization.

Bates was placed under the franchise tag last offseason and signed it shortly before the start of the season on Aug. 23. His contract was worth $12.9 million in 2022, per Spotrac.

Although the Bengals have a little over $37 million in cap space, the organization has upcoming contract situations for stars like Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase and Logan Wilson that it must keep in mind moving forward.

Another player the organization will look to lock up is Bates' running mate, Bell. Morrison wrote that Cincinnati will "do everything possible" to bring back Bell who will be cheaper than Bates and is a team captain.

The Bengals also drafted Daxton Hill, a safety out of Michigan, in the first round last year. Although he didn't get much playing time in 2022, he'll likely be the one to step up in Bates' place.