The Commanders certainly seem to approve of their 2024 tight end setup. After re-signing Zach Ertz, the team is keeping its blocking tight end as well.

John Bates is sticking around, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo, who notes the young Ertz complement is staying on a three-year deal. Washington has used Bates as a supplementary TE piece for four seasons, having drafted him in the 2021 fourth round.

This was among the Commanders’ priorities, ESPN.com’s John Keim adds, and a sufficient offer will keep the four-year vet off the market. Bates, 27, could have tested free agency had he remained unattached by 11am CT Monday. But the warp-speed roster-building missions regularly involve quick changes during the legal tampering period; Bates will sit that out and stay in Washington.

Bates staying represents a notable commitment to tight end, as the Commanders also drafted Ben Sinnott in last year’s second round. Ertz is more placeholder/Jayden Daniels security blanket, but Bates joins Sinnott in being signed through 2027. Bates played 516 snaps to Sinnott’s 311 last season. The 6-foot-6 tight end has 25 career starts under his belt, complementing the likes of Ertz and Logan Thomas during his rookie-contract years.

The Ron Rivera-led regime drafted Bates, whereas Sinnott and Ertz arrived under Adam Peters. That makes this commitment a bit more interesting. Sinnott-Bates has the makings of a long-term TE duo, while Ertz — heading into an age-35 season — is probably year-to-year at this point.

Illustrating his role on last year’s Commanders team, Bates caught just eight passes despite the above-referenced snap share. He caught 20 passes as a rookie and 19 in 2023, but the Boise State alum will continue to make his living as a blocker.