Jessie Bates talks contract, holdout and readiness for Week 1

Bengals safety Jessie Bates had his first media session after ending his holdout.

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Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates is fully back with the team after ending his holding and signing his franchise tag.

While Bates says he’ll work back into things slowly before Week 1, he also told reporters on Wednesday “I think I can go out there right now and play,” according to Marisa Contipelli of Bengals.com.

As others from within the organization have already signaled, Bates’ return comes with more than enough time for him to get up to speed and be on the field for Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bates also said that while there were discussions about sitting out longer, he values the game and team too much:

There’s also this very interesting nugget to keep in mind, via ESPN’s Ben Baby:

That note could be a pretty interesting tell of what Bates might prioritize in free agency next offseason seeing as there aren’t many teams with a better quarterback situation than the one in Cincinnati.

He was also very accepting of the team drafting Dax Hill in the first round, per the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Charlie Goldsmith:

Keep in mind Bates offered to help Hill from afar with anything he needed during his holdout.

As a whole, Bates’ interview was a good sign of why he’s so well-liked and regarded at all levels of the Bengals’ organization. It was also as expected on all fronts as this situation runs a predictable course before he takes the field in Week 1.

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