Jessie Bates III

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Atlanta Falcons are signing star safety Jessie Bates III. The deal is worth $64.02 million over four seasons.

Fantasy Impact

Bates has been one of the best safeties in the NFL over the last few seasons, and it was no secret he was on his way out of Cincinnati. The Falcons add a player with multiple 100-tackle seasons and 14 interceptions in five years. He pairs up with CB AJ Terrell to make up a talented and young secondary as the Falcons continue to spend big in free agency.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, the Cincinnati Bengals have officially added S Jessie Bates to their 53-man roster.

Fantasy Impact

Bates started the offseason with a holdout, but he has made his way back to camp. This is a step toward Bates taking the field for the Bengals, something Cincinnati needs to help bolster their defense. Although they drafted multiple defensive backs, Bates is an All-Pro caliber safety with 408 tackles and 10 interceptions in his four-year career.

Jessie Bates reported to training camp Tuesday after holding out due to failed contract negotiations.

Fantasy Impact

Bates returns to the Bengals this week as they are set to begin join practices with the Rams Wednesday. The 25-year-old safety registered 67 tackles, four breakups, and one interception in 2021. Bates is in the final year of his contract and would be a free agent if he is not franchise tagged.

Cincinnati Bengals star safety Jessie Bates III will not report to training camp with the rest of the team's veterans on Tuesday, per source according to ESPN senior NFL reporter, Jeremy Fowler. Also reported, Bates not being present for camp was largely expected since he has not yet signed his franchise tag tender.

Fantasy Impact

Jesse Bates III not reporting to camp doesn’t come as much of a surprise since he has not signed the $12.91 million franchise tag and will not be subject to fines. Though, it’s widely expected throughout the Bengals organization that the star safety will be with the team and play in 2023 once both sides can reach a financial agreement. Since joining Cincinnati in 2018, Bates has started all 63 games he has played, racking up 10 interceptions and 35 passes defended. Stay tuned, as more details become available in the coming days.

The Bengals and franchise-tagged safety Jessie Bates III have made “zero” progress on a long-term deal. The two sides have until today’s 4 p.m. EST deadline to come to an agreement, but all signs point to that being an unlikely outcome.

Fantasy Impact

The 2020 second-team All-Pro safety has not yet signed his franchise-tag tender, and has “no intentions” to report to the team’s training camp that begins July 27, according to Tyler Dragon. With Cincinnati adding Dax Hill and Tycen Anderson in the draft, along with already having talented safety Vonn Bell on the roster, the team could now see Bates III as an expendable asset. Trade rumors have swirled all offseason, and this latest development could bring those rumors to fruition.