Atlanta Falcons are Trading Safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Believe it or not, we’re already mid-way through the NFL season and the trade deadline is tomorrow Tuesday November 11. That means there is still plenty of action happening off the field and the NFC South has made a move. The Atlanta Falcons are trading safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Supplying details about the trade is NFL Insider Adam Schefter who wrote:

“Trade: Falcons are sending former Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 2nd-round pick and a 2028 5th-round pick, sources tell ESPN. Jessie Bates is in the final year of his contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March. Atlanta extended Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Matthew Bergeron this offseason, but not Bates. Now, he’s been traded.”

The Atlanta Falcons lost yesterday to the Cincinnati Bengals 34-17. However, they are in a rebuilding phase and kept their younger players as evidenced by the contract extensions they made. Therefore, the picks they will receive from Jacksonville will help them bolster their roster and build for the future. Moving Bates is another step toward the goal of getting better. But that’s not to say that Bates isn’t a worthy player because he is.

Bates is a three-time AP second-team All-Pro safety; his most recent second-team All-Pro selection came in 2025. Atlanta signed Bates to a four-year, $64.02 million contract in 2023, and he made the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Falcons. So instead of Bates playing out the last year of his contract the Falcons traded him and got draft picks in return. They would likely not have received anything for Bates had he just walked in free agency.

Atlanta Falcons are Trading Safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on an upward trajectory beating the Baltimore Ravens 33-10 yesterday. Currently they are 6-2 and sit atop the AFC South. The Houston Texans are behind them at 3-5. Whereas the other two AFC South teams, the Colts and Titans have a combined three wins. Clearly the Jaguars want to press the advantage of having the lead in their division. Shoring up the defense with the addition of Bates will help them do that.

ESPN NFL analyst Field Yates wrote of the traits behind Bates’ production: “Amongst the game’s best still in terms of ball skills, instincts and limiting explosive plays. An excellent communicator and leader too. A huge add for the Jaguars.”

And NFL senior writer Kevin Patra described the effect Bates can have for the Jaguars: “Bates solidifies the back end of Campanile’s high-flying defense that ranks in the top five against the run but is 22nd against the pass this season.”

Looking forward to seeing what Bates will do in Jacksonville.

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