The Eagles need to get Jessie Bates
This off-season the Eagles went out and addressed positions of need in major ways. One position of need has still yet to be properly addressed, the safety position. With superstar safety Jessie Bates holding out of training camp in hopes of a new contract, the Eagles need to make it a priority to acquire him.
The 25-year-old has been one of the league’s top safeties for the last couple of years. Earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, Bates was good in 2021, but not as good as in 2020. Bates finished with 88 tackles and an interception last season. Stats don’t tell the whole story for Bates as he is a leader on the defense. Adding a player like Bates to the secondary would cap off the Eagles’ massive off-season in a big way.
Trade-wise, the Eagles have the ammo to pursue Bates. They have an extra first next year, along with a couple of young players who could intrigue the Bengals. A package surrounding Andre Dillard and a 2023 second-round pick seems like a fair deal for both sides. Bates has shown no willingness to play under the franchise tag, so if the Bengals can’t reach a long-term deal, this may be the best offer they can find.
The fit for Bates and the Birds have made way too much sense all along. The Eagles showed this off-season their desire to add a big-name safety in pursuing Marcus Williams but losing out to the Ravens. The Eagles’ safety trio right now consists of Marcus Epps, Anthony Harris, and Jaquiski Tartt. None of the three are bad players but aren’t difference makers either. The Eagles need a difference maker in the backend of their secondary and Bates would be the answer.
While nothing is going on at the moment regarding trade talks, the situation is still a very intriguing one to keep an eye on. If Bates does end up requesting out or the Bengals do look to move him, one can only imagine the Eagles would be one of the favorites to land him. Howie has shown that he’s not afraid to make a big move. A move like this could put the Eagles in a position not just to fight for an NFC East title, but win the entire NFC altogether.
Featured Image: Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
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Categorized:Eagles