Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates has elected to hire new representation.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bates will go with David Mulugheta of Athletes First. No shocker here — as ESPN’s Adam Schefter pointed out last month, Athletes First repped the most first and second-round selections of any agency during the draft at eight and 11, respectively. That list includes wideout Tee Higgins, Cincinnati’s pick at the top of Round 2.
And calling Bates a rising star is fair enough. The 2018 second-round pick has drummed up 211 total tackles, six interceptions and 16 passes defensed since entering the league and as a rookie posted a career-high grade of 79.9 at PFF.
Bates’ current rookie deal expires after the 2021 season but he’ll be in the extension discussion this time next offseason.
