Could the Commanders strike a trade for disgruntled Bengals star?

The Washington Commanders haven’t moved the needle this offseason as far as making defensive upgrades. While the defensive line obviously doesn’t need to be tinkered with, the secondary leaked serious oil in 2021 and banking on continuity to fuel their resurgence is a big gamble by the front office.

Will Washington make any moves before training camp? That’s unclear, but head coach Ron Rivera hinted at the possibility of signing a linebacker or adding another piece in the secondary, which lacks depth behind the expected starters.

With training camp just days away, a potential statement addition could be made via trade, as Bengals franchise-tagged star Jessie Bates reportedly has zero intentions of reporting to training camp nor playing on the franchise tag after both sides failed to reach a long-term agreement before Friday’s deadline.

As we’ve learned over the years, these stalemates usually have one of three outcomes: the player plays on the tag, sits out the season or demands a trade.

Should the latter situation play out, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin pegged the Commanders as a potential trade destination for the disgruntled star.

Could the Commanders trade for star Bengals safety Jessie Bates?

It’s worth noting Benjamin ranked the Commanders seventh of eight destinations, but they made the cut nonetheless. That alone is noteworthy.

"“It’s as simple as this: Ron Rivera is a defensive guy, and the weakest link on his otherwise feisty defense is the secondary, specifically safety,” wrote Benjamin. “Washington has financial flexibility going into 2022, and depending on Carson Wentz’s performance at quarterback, they could save tens of millions by resetting that spot in 2023. Bates would represent a monumental upgrade over current starters Bobby McCain and Kamren Curl, giving Rivera a true centerfielder."

Let’s get one thing straight: linebacker is Washington’s weakest link on defense until further notice; not safety. That’s a pretty big miss given how short Rivera is at linebacker, and we’re not sure Bates would represent a “monumental” upgrade over McCain and Kurl, who were more than serviceable in 2021. Benjamin could’ve made his points without being hyperbolic about the team’s flaws at safety.

But we digress. In a vacuum, Benjamin makes a good point implying that Bates would transform Washington’s defense.

Would he be worth the subsequent extension, however, is the million-dollar question Rivera and Co. need to consider. Can the Commanders really afford acquiescing to Bates’ contract demands with Montez Sweat, Chase Young, Curl and Cole Holcomb all due for extensions in the near future? The safe answer is no.

While Bates is one of the best safeties in the game, he’s far too inconsistent for our liking, especially in coverage.

• 2021: 53.4 coverage grade from PFF
• 2020: 90. coverage grade from PFF
• 2019: 64.9 coverage grade from PFF
• 2018: 80.9 coverage grade from PFF

If the Bengals are hesitant paying Bates top-of-the-market money after Minkah Fitzpatrick just reset the market with his four-year, $73.6 million contract ($18.42 MM annually) with the Steelers that included $36 MM guaranteed, there’s probably a reason behind it and the Commanders would be smart to stay away.

While talented, he’s not what Washington needs right now.