LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. – The Washington Commanders announced today that they have re-signed tight end John Bates. Full terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Bates (6-6, 259) is entering his fifth NFL season and entered the league with Washington as a fourth-round draft pick (124th overall) in 2021. In his career, Bates has appeared in 67 games with 25 starts and registered 61 receptions for 592 yards and two touchdowns. Bates has only missed one game in his career.
Last season, Bates played in all 17 games (six starts) and recorded eight catches for 84 yards and played a crucial role in the blocking scheme for the offense. In 2023, Bates logged 19 catches for 151 yards.
In 2022, Bates played in 16 games (seven starts) and tallied 14 catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. His rookie season Bates played in 17 games with eight starts and registered 20 receptions for 249 yards and a touchdown. He became the first rookie tight end to have 20-plus receptions in his first season since Jordan Reed did so with Washington in 2013.
A native of Lebanon, Oregon, he attended Lebanon High School where he was a two-time Oregon 5A selection, named to the first team as a senior and to the second team as a junior. Bates is married to his wife, Keagan and the two welcomed their daughter Georgia to the world in November.
