"The Commanders recognized Bates' overlooked contribution to the team's meteoric rise to the NFC Championship game in 2024. He was out of contract with his future hanging in the balance, but those in power gave him a supreme vote of confidence with a three-year, $21 million contract that included a $7 million signing bonus and $11.52 million guaranteed. While some fans raised their eyebrows at the sum given to Bates, it's not overly complicated to figure out the reasoning."
"What more proof? Look no further than Bates' efforts against a vaunted New York Giants defensive front in Week 1. He provided able assistance to rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. on his NFL debut. The aggression and explosiveness at the contact point were extraordinary. The 2021 fourth-round pick also set clean edges when called upon on running plays, which was largely responsible for rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt's huge gain on the ground when the Commanders were backed up near their own goal line."
John Bates earned a three-year, $21 million contract with a $7 million signing bonus and $11.52 million guaranteed after playing a critical role in the Commanders' run to the 2024 NFC Championship game. Bates remains a modest receiving threat but is rapidly emerging as one of the league's most prolific blocking tight ends. He mixes in the trenches, chips edge rushers, and delivers violent, second-level blocks that spring running plays. Bates aided rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. in his NFL debut and helped create a huge run for Jacory Croskey-Merritt by setting clean edges. The Commanders rely on Bates' physicality within their offensive strategy.
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