John Bates

Washington Commanders, Tight End
Age: 28y-4m-1d (Nov 06, 1997)
Exp: 5 Years
Country: US
College: Boise State
Drafted: Round 4 (#124 overall), 2021
Agent(s): Chase Callahan (Excel Sports Management)
2026 Cap Hit

$5,793,333

2026 Cash

$3,500,000

Career Earnings

$15,223,416

2025-2027 Pending Free Agent Extension (CURRENT)

John Bates signed a 3 year, $21,000,000 contract with the Washington Commanders, including $7,000,000 signing bonus, $11,520,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,000,000. In 2026, Bates will earn a base salary of $3,010,000 and a workout bonus of $150,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,793,333 and a dead cap value of $7,676,668.
Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $21,000,000
Average Salary:
$7,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$7,000,000
GTD at Sign:
$11,520,000
Total GTD:
$11,520,000
Free Agent:
2028 / UFA
MANAGE CONTRACT
Year Age Cap HitAnnual Cap % League Cap Cash Annual Cash Cumulative Dead Cap Annual
2025 28 $4,333,333 1.55% $8,960,000 $8,960,000 $11,670,000
2026 29 $5,793,333 1.91% $3,500,000 $12,460,000 $7,676,668
POTENTIAL OUT: 2027, 2 YR, $12,460,000; $2,333,334 DEAD CAP
2027 30 $10,833,334 3.40% $8,500,000 $20,960,000 $2,333,334
2028 31
UFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Signing Proration Roster Bonus Active/GM Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Cap Hit Cap % League Dead Cap
2025 28 $1,510,000 $2,333,333 - $340,000 $150,000 $4,333,333 1.55% $11,670,000
2026 29 $3,010,000 $2,333,333 - $300,000 $150,000 $5,793,333 1.91% $7,676,668
POTENTIAL OUT: 2027, 2 YR, $12,460,000; $2,333,334 DEAD CAP
2027 30 $7,260,000 $2,333,334 $750,000 $340,000 $150,000 $10,833,334 3.40% $2,333,334
2028 31
UFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Active/Gm Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining
2025 28 $1,510,000 $7,000,000 - $300,000 $150,000 $8,960,000 $8,960,000 $20,960,000
2026 29 $3,010,000 - - $340,000 $150,000 $3,500,000 $12,460,000 $12,000,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2027, 2 YR, $12,460,000; $2,333,334 DEAD CAP
2027 30 $7,260,000 - $750,000 $340,000 $150,000 $8,500,000 $20,960,000 $8,500,000
Contract Notes
  • $11.52M guaranteed (signing bonus + 2025 salary + 2026 salary)
  • Per Game Active Bonus: $20,000 ($340,000)
  • 2027 Roster Bonus: $750,000 (4/1/2027)
  • Receptions Bonus (non-cumulative)
    35: $250,000
    50: $500,000
    65: $750,000
  • Receiving Yard Bonus (non-cumulative)
    350: $250,000
    500: $500,000
    650: $750,000
  • REC TD Bonus (non-cumulative)
    4: $250,000
    6: $500,000
Source: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2021-2024 Rookie

Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $4,202,416
Average Salary:
$1,050,604
Signing Bonus:
$722,416
GTD at Sign:
$722,416
Total GTD:
$722,416
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA
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Seasons

5 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$15,223,416

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2021 24
Active
$1,382,416
$1,382,416
2022 25
Active
$825,000
$2,207,416
2023 26
Active
$940,000
$3,147,416
2024 27
Active
$3,116,000
$6,263,416
2025 28
Active
$8,960,000
$15,223,416
Total      
$15,223,416
$15,223,416
2026 29
Active
$3,500,000
2027 30
Active
$8,500,000
Total
$27,223,416

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
5 $7,051,000 $7,722,416 - - $150,000 - $15,223,416
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Workout Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2021
24
$660,000
$722,416
$1,382,416
$1,382,416
2022
25
$825,000
$825,000
$2,207,416
2023
26
$940,000
$940,000
$3,147,416
2024
27
$3,116,000
$3,116,000
$6,263,416
2025
28
$1,510,000
$7,000,000
$150,000
$8,960,000
$15,223,416
Total
$7,051,000
$7,722,416
$150,000
$15,223,416
$15,223,416
2026
29
$3,010,000
$150,000
$3,500,000
2027
30
$7,260,000
$750,000
$150,000
$8,500,000
Total
$17,321,000
$7,722,416
$750,000
$450,000
$27,223,416

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
5 $7,051,000 $7,722,416 - - $150,000 - $15,223,416
  • Mar 10, 2025 Signed a 3 year $21 million contract extension with Washington (WAS)
  • May 13, 2021 Signed a 4 year $4.2 million contract with Washington (WAS)
  • May 01, 2021 Drafted by Washington (WAS): Round 4 (#124 overall)
Year Team GP GS Snaps Snaps% Rec Targets Rec Receptions Rec Yards Rec Yards/Rec Rec Yards/Gm Rec Touchdowns Fum
2025 WAS 15 11 479 45.45 16 11 103 9.4 6.9 1 0
2024 WAS 17 6 516 44.56 13 8 84 10.5 4.9 0 1
2023 WAS 17 4 500 45.17 28 19 151 7.9 8.9 0 0
2022 WAS 16 7 510 42.89 22 14 108 7.7 6.8 1 1
2021 WAS 17 8 519 46.05 25 20 249 12.5 14.6 1 1
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