Since veteran Zach Ertz will return, this could mean Washington Commanders free agent John Bates could leave for a new team this offseason. According to breaking news, the Commanders are bringing back Ertz on another one-year deal to no surprise from his 2024 campaign performance. This means the buzz will only pick up for Bates who is a sleeper in this free agency and could sign with a new roster even as a back. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler describes Bates who has blocking prowess in the run game and could be an elusive target that could intrigue other teams in the market.
Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the former Boise State product made his debut during that year after Logan Thomas and Ricky Seals-Jones went down with injuries. Bates isn’t a reliable target to throw the ball to often but he has the size to help keep the offense competitive if they want an explosive running game. After the Commanders selected Ben Sinnott in the second round last year, the team will likely stick with him and draft another tight end in this year’s draft. Even though Bates isn’t going to put up big numbers in the aerial attack, these three teams could his physicality to increase the powerful offensive line.
Zach Ertz Contract Extension May Spell End for Sleeper Free Agent John Bates
Three Suitors Emerge
Los Angeles Chargers
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh will stick by his philosophy of winning football game with a strong physical run game. After losing in the wild card, he admits he did quarterback Justin Herbert a disservice but the team didn’t have enough pass catchers to win. While he will probably get more wide receivers for Herbert, Harbaugh will likely stick to his old ways this upcoming season and if they do, they should sign a big body like John Bates.
Will Dissly is a big body himself but he doesn’t have the blocking abilities like Bates does. If the Chargers want to have a successful run game, they should get Bates in the lineup to make that happen. They’ve got the first steps out the way after drafting Joe Alt but as of now, they need a new running back unit to make that happen. Bates will make life easier for whoever becomes the starter in that unit.
Baltimore Ravens
As for the Ravens, it’s hard to imagine the team will walk into this season with Mark Andrews in their lineup. After re-signing Ronnie Stanley, the team could sacrifice trading Andrews and releasing Marlon Humphrey to make room to improve other needs. With that, the team should have enough cap space to facilitate a Bates signing.
He isn’t taking Isaiah Likely’s job but the team could use his physicality when they already have a big body like Derrick Henry running the football. These two finding the holes should be able to develop excellent chemistry, especially in play-action plays for quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are still doing house chores for quarterback Bryce Young after signing Tommy Tremble to an extension. Young and head coach Dave Canales is in good business with wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker in the aerial attack. However, they could use someone like Bates to make life easier for Chuba Hubbard to find the holes.
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