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Bengals likely to lose top 10 free agent
Bengals likely to lose top 10 free agent,The Bengals have four players on NFL.com's top 101 free agents list, and they are likely to lose their top ranked player in free agency.

Bengals likely to lose top 10 free agent

The Bengals have four players on NFL.com’s top 101 free agents list, and they are likely to lose their top ranked player in free agency.

Safety Jessie Bates ranks as the No. 9 free agent of 2023 and is “likely out of Cincinnati,” Gregg Rosenthal writes.

Bates played on the franchise tag in 2022 after the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement on a new deal last offseason. And the Bengals drafted his likely replacement in Daxton Hill with their first round pick in last year’s draft.

The 26-year-old made sure to grow his market value this season, posting a career-high four interceptions along with 71 tackles, one forced fumble and eight passes defensed.

He is projected to receive a four-year, $56.26 million contract, according to Spotrac. With Cincinnati gearing up to pay QB Joe Burrow, Bates will likely be out of the team’s price range.

However, there is nothing but love for Bates as he begins to look for his new home.

Was that the end for Jessie Bates III in Cincy?

“Super grateful. That’s all I could think about running off the field. Just where we were when I first got here & where it ended.”

The star safety discusses his future as one of the #Bengals unrestricted free agents. | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/VnZLpXH89q

— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) January 30, 2023

The Bengals are taking a risk if they let Bates walk as Hill had just 16 tackles in 15 games this year. But the 22-year-old certainly provides a much cheaper option for the next few years.