Jessie Bates Traded to Jaguars, Latest NFL News on Falcons' Return for Former Pro Bowl Safety

The Atlanta Falcons traded veteran safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the trade and that Atlanta will receive a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder.

The Falcons are only a half-game out of first place in the NFC South but appear to be throwing in the towel after Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, their fourth in five games.

Bates is a free agent in the offseason, so he was an obvious trade candidate if Atlanta wanted to be a seller before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, are third in the AFC at 6-2. They took down the Baltimore Ravens 33-10 in Week 9. Jacksonville is a serious contender this year, and the front office senses an opportunity.

Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers caught 42 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns last year after his midseason trade to the Jags. Now, general manager James Gladstone is hoping for a similar lift to the defense.

Bates addresses a need in the secondary after Eric Murray landed on injured reserve last week.

The 29-year-old has 60 combined tackles, one interception, four pass breakups and three forced fumbles through nine games in 2026. He remains one of the game's better safeties and one who flocks to the ball on every play.

Extending Bates' tenure beyond this season will be tricky when the Jaguars are on track to be over the salary cap in 2027. That's a problem to address down the road.

Even if he's a half-season rental, giving up a second-rounder will be a worthwhile price should Bates help the team make a deep playoff run.