FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kevin Stefanski was asked at Annual League Meetings just last week about the traits of players who last in the league. He said there's a clear through line when it comes to the wiring of those types of guys. They are the ones who are never satisfied, the ones who are constantly wanting to learn, grow and reach a new level of their game.
A week later, that is exactly who Jessie Bates III reiterated that he is.
"I say every year you have something to prove," Bates said the day after players reported to the Falcons' facility for OTAs. "Every single year you have to prove to whoever it is that you're still this player, or this leader. Whatever it is, you want to go and prove to somebody that you're still that guy."
Bates may be entering into Year 9, but that doesn't change his personal approach, especially with new leadership in place with Stefanski, general manager Ian Cunningham and president of football Matt Ryan.
[The veteran safety is on the final year of a four-year contract he signed with Atlanta back in 2023](https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/25153/jessie-bates-iii). He understands that makes the waters of his future a little murky at the moment, but that doesn't change how he operates.
"I think every year is a one-year contract," Bates said. "Things can change. People can get traded, get cut. That's the mindset you gotta have when you're talking about a one-year approach. Whether I had two years left on my deal or I had one, I would come in here and work like I only had one."
Bates learned that mindset well before 2026. Like Stefanski, he saw the best of the best stand by it throughout their careers.
"You have to be able to have a system that you operate on no matter if you're feeling good, if you're not feeling well, whether you got the biggest contract, whether you don't," Bates said. "You have to operate in these types of systems. I think the best players do."