Jesse is a good guy. We like him. He's been an excellent player. He fits with us.

We were two years and trying to extend him and we were able to get there.

I expect Jesse to be here and play for us this year.

I don't know if he's something that we look forward to.

Mike Brown, owner of the Cincinnati Bengals. Look, the Bengals have a history of

applying the franchise tag to a guy, employing him under the franchise tag for a year,

and then saying, see you later. That's it.

And that's what's going to happen to Jesse Bates, because already drafted his replacement.

Hey, got his replacement ready to go. And Dax Hill is going to make $11.9 million

over four years combined. Jesse Bates is making $12.9 this year.

And it's a good deal for the Bengals because it's well under the top of the market for the safety position.

That's why they didn't work out a long term deal. And also the Bengals don't guarantee money

beyond year one. They're willing to throw in $4 million more than what he was already

due to make this year guaranteed. That's not good enough under the franchise tag.

So, Bates will play there one more year if he shows up.

And then he'll become an unrestricted free agent next year and he'll take over.

That's exactly the way to read what Mike Brown said.

I think so. You know, I mean, Mike, if we go back to draft time and had some

more discussions and we talk about Dax Hill from Michigan who they drafted.

The guy that he reminded me of and the guy I brought up a lot in podcast was Jesse Bates.

That was the guy that I had the comparison to.

So, when he got drafted there, I kind of had the same thoughts that you're referring to right now

...