The Bengals will be losing both of their starting safeties from the last few seasons.
S Jessie Bates has agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons. This is a move that has been anticipated for some time now, after Bates was seen with members of the Falcons.
Bates gets 4 years/$60.02M, with $36M guaranteed with the Falcons. The Bengals used the franchise tag on him last year, after being unable to reach an agreement. It has long been known that the Bengals did not value him at the price that would be available on the open market, despite him being a top-tier player over the course of his tenure with the team.
The Bengals used a 1st round pick on S Daxton Hill last year, in anticipation of this day. Hill will have big shoes to fill, but he has the talent to do so.
In addition to Bates, S Vonn Bell will be leaving. He gets a deal with the Carolina Panthers, 3 years/$22.5M with $13M guaranteed.
Bell started at SS for the Bengals, with Bates at FS. Bell’s coverage hit new heights with the Bengals, while he maintained his high level of play down low. It is a tough blow for the Bengals, especially given that the contract he will be signing with Carolina is reasonable. He got a good chunk of his guaranteed money to be implemented into the second year of his contract, which is something the Bengals often avoid. Even still, the contract was one the Bengals could have matched.
I think that while Bates was expected to leave, most expected Bell to be re-signed. Now, it seems likely that the Bengals look to free agency for a replacement.
