World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
Falcons send Pro Bowler Jessie Bates to Jaguars in first major trade deadline shakeup
The Atlanta Falcons are trading safety Jessie Bates to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The deal gives the Jaguars help in pass defence after a season-ending injury to starter Eric Murray, while Atlanta gains draft capital and room to plan for next season.
Atlanta will pay most of Bates’ $6.5 million salary. A Pro Bowler and three-time Second-Team All-Pro, he has made 392 tackles, 14 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles in 60 games for the Falcons; this season, he has 60 tackles, one interception and three forced fumbles in nine games. The 6-2 Jaguars rank 22nd in pass defence, while the 3-6 Falcons are in transition and were unlikely to re-sign Bates, whose contract expires after this season.
In short
- Jacksonville adds Jessie Bates to strengthen its pass defence.
- Atlanta receives two future picks and sheds most of his salary.
- Bates has 60 tackles and three forced fumbles this season.