NFL training camp 2022: Bengals safety Jessie Bates to report to camp after weeks-long holdout

A key member of the Cincinnati Bengals' defense returned to the team Tuesday.

Safety Jessies Bates reported to training camp, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, and is set to sign his $12.91 million franchise tag, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. This comes after Bates held out for most of the offseason in search of a long-term deal. When Bates and the Bengals didn't agree on an extension by the July 15 deadline, Bates began skipping training camp practices as well.

Now, it sounds like Bates will agree to play one more year with the Bengals before potentially hitting unrestricted free agency at the end of this season. There is the possibility the Bengals place the tag on Bates again, though, or move him before the Nov. 1 trade deadline this season.

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Bates played a huge role during the Bengals' conference championship run in 2021. He tallied 88 combined tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery and four defended passes during the Bengals' AFC North title run. In the postseason, Bates added 20 combined tackles and six defended passes. He also recorded a crucial overtime interception of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a red zone interception on Matthew Stafford in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Bengals drafted Daxton Hill out of Michigan in the first round as a potential replacement for Bates, but now it looks like Hill will be tutored under Bates for the time being unless the Bengals trade Bates away.

With Bates back in tow – for now, at least – the Bengals have most of their 2022 defense back for another run at a championship. The only players to leave this offseason were DT Larry Ogunjobi (who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers) and CB Trae Waynes (who unofficially retired).