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Jessie Bates on Contract Negotiations: 'I Guess I Haven't Done Enough to be Considered' a Top Safety

The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his contract.

James Rapien

CINCINNATI — Bengals safety Jessie Bates is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Most people expected the team him to an extension before the start of the season, but that might not happen. 

Just days after a report surfaced that the Bengals and Bates were far apart in their contract talks, the star safety discussed the situation with Dan Hoard and Dan Lapham. 

"I guess I haven't done enough yet to be considered one of the top safeties in this league," Bates said. "I think this will probably be my last time that I speak on the contract just because I think it can get a little messy as far as thinking about it too much." 

Bates is clearly unhappy about how talks went. He raved about the idea of signing a long-term deal with the Bengals at the start of training camp. 

Bates has developed into one of Cincinnati's best players. He finished with 109 tackles, three interceptions and 15 passes defensed last season. 

Despite talks stalling, he plans on playing Saturday against the Buccaneers in preseason game number one. 

"I'm gonna go to work just like any other day," Bates said. "I've been out there practicing everyday. I have a goal that I want to reach personally and I know I gotta get better to get this team to where we need to be."

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James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals On SI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati

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