John Bates holds the TE · Backup spot in Washington Commanders’s tight end room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

John Bates played 15 games in 2025 with a 51% snap share.

John Bates is a tight end for the Washington Commanders standing 6'6" and weighing 256 pounds. A native of Lebanon, Oregon, Bates played college football at Boise State before being selected by Washington in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2021 draft. Entering his sixth season, the 28-year-old recorded 11 receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown on 16 targets in 2025.

Boise Statethrough 2020

Commanders2021 — present

CollegeBoise StateDraftRound 4 · No. 124 overall · 2021 · WASHometownLebanon, OR