Ex-Bengals Safety Reflects on His Time in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Bengals have seen plenty of talented players come and go over the years, and that is part of life in the NFL. Roster decisions are often driven by contracts and salary cap space, and even the most beloved players can end up in a different uniform. Few examples hit closer to home for Bengals fans than safety Jessie Bates III.

Bates was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and spent five seasons in Cincinnati, where he developed into one of the best defensive backs in the league. He played a key role in the Bengals' rise from a struggling franchise to a contender, including their trip to Super Bowl LVI. After playing the 2022 season on the franchise tag, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.

Bates recently revisited his time in Cincinnati during an interview with NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who posted a clip of the conversation on X on Thursday afternoon. When asked if he ever wonders why the Bengals did not keep him, Bates admitted that he does. However, he made it clear that he understands why the decision was made.

According to Bates, the Bengals had to prioritize paying their offensive playmakers, including Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. He called them close friends and said he has a great deal of love for all three of them. He also pointed out that it is not always possible to fit everyone under the salary cap, and noted that the cap number is higher now than it was a few years ago.

Bates also looked back fondly on the success the team had during his time in Cincinnati, including the deep postseason runs and the appearance on the sport's biggest stage. He described those years as some of the best of his life.

The conversation also turned to when Bates first learned how much of a business the NFL truly is. He said that lesson came during his rookie season, when the Bengals moved on from veteran safety George Iloka. Bates was the cheaper option, and hearing the conversations inside the locker room showed him that football is about more than what happens on the field.

Ultimately, Bates left no doubt about how he feels about Cincinnati. The city and the organization still hold a special place in his heart. However, his comments are a reminder that, no matter how strong the bond between a player and a team, the NFL remains a business. If the Bengals continue to build around Burrow, Chase and Higgins, they will have to keep making difficult decisions like this one.