Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III plans to transfer his anger about his contract status onto the field.
Bates, who is playing on the final year of his rookie deal, did not receive a contract extension from the Bengals this offseason.
"I think I'm going to continue to show it with my play and be a little pissed off, for sure," Bates said Monday, according to ESPN's Ben Baby.
The 24-year-old showcased some of his rage Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, delivering a few punishing hits and getting involved on a tackle that caused running back Dalvin Cook to fumble in overtime. His nine tackles Sunday led the team.
Jessie Bates with a third down hit to end the Vikings drive (turned up the volume on this one). pic.twitter.com/Bspx8nbnrg
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) September 12, 2021
Bates said he had hoped to be the next man up after the Bengals inked defensive end Sam Hubbard to a four-year, $40-million extension in July. He added that he isn't sure if a new deal is still being negotiated.
"It is what it is. I'm going to play my part," Bates said. "I'm going to be a captain of this team and next year, we'll see what happens."
Cincinnati could franchise tag Bates in 2022 if the two sides don't reach an agreement. The Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft. He recorded at least three interceptions and 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons.
