Jessie Bates and the Bengals are not expected to reach a long-term agreement before July 15.

One tagged player and his current teammates are not likely to sign a long-term contract as the July 15 deadline approaches for franchise-tagged players.

Jessie Bates and the Bengals are not expected to reach a long-term agreement before July 15.

One tagged player and his current teammates are not likely to sign a long-term contract as the July 15 deadline approaches for franchise-tagged players.

Mike Garafolo, NFL Media, says that there is not much optimism that the Bengals or safety Jessie Bates can work out a multiyear deal.

As we see it, the situation presents three major obstacles. The first is that the safety position franchise tag doesn't reflect the current market. Bates can be retained by the Bengals for 2022 with a guaranteed salary at $12.9 million. Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick set a new standard earlier this year, setting a new-money record with an average salary of $18.4million.

The Bengals do not guarantee money for any player beyond the first year of veteran contracts. Only the Bengals or Packers are able to do this. Bates has $12.9 million in his hand for 2022, and the ability to raise $20.48 million in 2023. He should immediately refuse any offer that doesn’t fully guarantee the sum ($28.38million) of the next two seasons at signing.

The Bengals chose safety Daxton Hill in round three, which was held in April. With a commitment totaling $11.9 million for four years, Bates's replacement is ready to go. This is a million less that Bates's salary of just one year.

So, unless the Bengals make an unusual and dramatic move within the next six days Bates will have the decision to either take $12.9 million and continue to play for the Bengals or sit. If the Bengals remove the tag, Bates can skip training camp and the preseason and not lose any pay. He could also opt to continue into the regular season and give up $716667 per week in order for credit towards the contract year.

It doesn't matter how it turns out, the Bengals have applied the tag multiple times during the era free agency, then kept the player under the tag until he was ready to leave. Hill's draft is the obvious sign that they are willing to let Bates go.

It is not clear if they should. It remains to be seen if their unwillingness to offer him a deal that includes guarantees beyond 2022 matches their newly discovered window of opportunity to compete at a high-level. Good teams have to make difficult business decisions. The Bengals are known for making business decisions that save money. They might be realizing they cannot keep everyone. Perhaps their current position with Bates is not a sign of the future.

They seem to be willing to keep Bates for another year, and then pivot to Hill. Perhaps they realize they must keep cash and cap space in reserve next year for quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase.