Yahoo Sports NFL on John Bates

ArticleDo Chig Okonkwo, Antonio Williams & Treylon Burks offer enough receiving help f...Captured August 1, 2026
Read the full article

From the article

with Okonkwo's added flavor, the returning supplementary contributors at tight end have the chance to surge in settling into their own niches. As helpful as John Bates' blocking was...

STACKED’s take

NeutralRole

Bates finds clearer role with Okonkwo taking over primary receiving duties.

With Chig Okonkwo's addition to the tight end room, Bates has the chance to settle into a clearer role. The source notes that while Bates' blocking was helpful after Zach Ertz went down in Week 14, Okonkwo's arrival allows Bates to move away from being the primary receiving option and focus on his strengths.

John Bates headshotJohn BatesTE · WASPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight

More on John Bates and from Yahoo Sports NFL