Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) does an interview after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) does an interview after a victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Jacksonville Jaguars landed a big one just a day before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. On Monday, reports surfaced that the Jaguars are acquiring Pro Bowl defensive back Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons.
Via Adam Schefter of ESPN:
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.
With the trade, the Jags are adding depth and experience to their secondary that some felt the team needs to address before the trade deadline.
The 29-year-old Bates spent three-plus seasons with the Falcons, who signed him to a 4-year, $64 million contract in 2023. Before that, he played for five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, who selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Jessie Bates Could Play 18 Games in 2026 NFL Season
Atlanta Falcons free safety Jessie Bates (3) paces between plays in the fourth quarter of the NFL International Week 9 game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals at Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. The Bengals won the international matchup, 34-17.
Atlanta free safety Bates (3) paces between plays in the fourth quarter of the NFL International Week 9 game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals at Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. The Bengals won the international matchup, 34-17.
It remains to be seen just how big of an impact Bates can have on Jacksonville’s stop unit. But it’s also worth noting that Bates could see no extra week of rest for the entire 2026 NFL season.
“Jessie Bates still hasn’t had a bye this season and is now joining a Jaguars team that already had theirs. If Bates suits up right away, there’s a scenario where he plays 18 games this season,” Schefter noted in another post.
The Falcons’ bye is in Week 11, while the Jaguars already had theirs in Week 7, so this is a timeline coincidence for Bates, who has recorded at least an interception in each of his seasons so far in the NFL.
Detailed view of the Jacksonville Jaguars helmet against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
Aug 15, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Jaguars helmet against New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images