Bengals’ Jessie Bates created Twitter firestorm amid extension speculation
Is the extension and/or franchise tag drama between the Cincinnati Bengals and star safety Jessie Bates almost over?
Maybe not, but Bates sure seems to know what he’s doing on social media. The window for teams to place franchise tags on players opened this week and Bates, right on cue, sent out an eye-emoji tweet that sent Bengals fandom into a ruckus.
Normally that wouldn’t be enough, but right before doing that, Bates retweeted teammate Mike Hilton’s public plea for the Bengals to extend the star safety.
While no official word about anything followed Bates’ tweets, his being a fan favorite, obvious re-signing candidate and critical member of the current contending roster led to social media going wild with speculation.
https://t.co/XDiN2bsi4l pic.twitter.com/D32SUYutdQ
— Dadio Makdook 🐅 (@dadiodefacto) February 23, 2022
https://t.co/RqhwBxNXr6 pic.twitter.com/uOeYHdUaSS
— T.J. (@RKO_2004) February 23, 2022
OMG OMG OMG https://t.co/lryKiIZIvK
— Jerrie 🧡🐅🖤 (@_jerrbear_) February 23, 2022
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) February 23, 2022
https://t.co/kih6GZx4Xb pic.twitter.com/u2bCtNLqpV
— 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘊𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯⚓ (@BengalsCaptain) February 23, 2022
I am desperate that this is not like the Carl Lawson situation. https://t.co/sgyEnzolt6
— Jack 💥 (@Cincinneumeyer) February 23, 2022
https://t.co/uNxDhJcDs5 pic.twitter.com/emzsmSmZxb
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) February 23, 2022
NFL players really have group texts where they decide who is going to send emojis and at what times. pic.twitter.com/xcW4KkYjpL
— Andrew Russell (@PFF_AndrewR) February 23, 2022
#RuleTheJungle 😳😳😳😳 https://t.co/WZQok9lu8I pic.twitter.com/l5V32SF5tM
— NEWDeyDréInLA (@AndreEdwards06) February 23, 2022
Sources are telling me that Jessie Bates the third has tweeted eyeball emojis amidst potentially being extended.
Working to confirm these reports. There’s a chance he just likes the emoji a whole lot & wanted people to know. #Bengals https://t.co/i8YSCpETW7
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) February 23, 2022
Jessie Bates to New England confirmed https://t.co/U5Lrr9zwwh
— Trev Reporteraport (@incredelman_11) February 23, 2022
Haha these dudes and the “👀” emoji 😂🤣…. #WhoDey https://t.co/3ya4MNiJwx
— Bengalorian (@thebengalorian) February 23, 2022
OK…. this has to be good right?? New deal announced soon. He wouldn't be excited about a franchise tag… hope we hear soon!! https://t.co/8RDiVYN4wH
— MikeDardisWLWT (@MikeDardisWLWT) February 23, 2022
I’ll send you $20 if you let me announce our contract extension.
— Drew Garrison (@DrewGarrison) February 23, 2022
It’s too late for me to get this excited JB
— Jack 💥 (@Cincinneumeyer) February 23, 2022
C’mon J3!! Shed some light! pic.twitter.com/gly08fXxNA
— Jim (@TheGeg) February 23, 2022
1
1
