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Falcons trade Jessie Bates III to Jaguars, say winning is still goal

The Falcons traded safety Jessie Bates III to the Jaguars for a 2027 second-round pick, and coach Kevin Stefanski says winning remains the goal at 3-6.

Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Jessie Bates III, safety traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jessie Bates III (31015688557) (cropped).jpg by Office of the Maryland Governor on Flickr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick answer

The Atlanta Falcons traded safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars before the NFL trade deadline for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Coach Kevin Stefanski has spent days meeting players to stress that winning is still the goal. Atlanta is 3-6 and hosts the Chiefs.

Key facts

  • Jacksonville acquired Bates from Atlanta for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
  • Bates is a three-time All-Pro who played for the Falcons from 2023 to 2026.
  • Atlanta also traded captain Ryan Neuzil and released kicker Nick Folk.
  • The Falcons are 3-6 after losing four of their last five.
  • Coach Kevin Stefanski held one-on-one, small-group and full team meetings after the trades.

What did the Falcons get for Jessie Bates III?

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Bates from the Falcons for a second-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft and a 2028 fifth-round selection. The deal came days before the NFL's Tuesday trade deadline.

Bates, a second-round pick (No. 54 overall) of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018, played in Cincinnati from 2018 to 2022 and in Atlanta from 2023 to 2026. He is a three-time All-Pro and a nine-year veteran.

How are the Falcons responding?

Atlanta traded two starters before the deadline, and coach Kevin Stefanski has made communication the priority since. ESPN reports that has meant one-on-one meetings, small-group talks with the team's player leadership committee and full team meetings. The aim, according to the report, is to make certain the team is not giving up on the season.

Fox 5 Atlanta says the deadline deals sent away captains Jessie Bates III and Ryan Neuzil, and that kicker Nick Folk was released. Younger players now step into larger roles.

What is next for Atlanta?

The Falcons are 3-6 after losing four of their last five. They host the Kansas City Chiefs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of next week's bye.

How is Bates settling in at Jacksonville?

Bates arrived in Jacksonville on Monday night after an eight-hour flight from Madrid, Spain. The Jaguars (6-2) lead the AFC South and play the Tennessee Titans (1-7) in Nashville on Sunday.

"I look at it as a blessing and being able to learn a whole new defense and learn a whole different philosophy," Bates said. Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile said Bates is "part of the coaching staff, I think" given how much time he spends at the facility. Jacksonville also added defensive tackles Jordan Davis from the Eagles and Davon Godchaux from the Saints this week.

Frequently asked questions

Who did the Falcons trade Jessie Bates III to?

They traded him to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

What did Atlanta receive for Bates?

The Falcons got a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.

What is the Falcons' record?

Atlanta is 3-6 after losing four of its last five games.

Who else did the Falcons move at the deadline?

Captain Ryan Neuzil was traded, and kicker Nick Folk was released.

Topics: jessie bates iiiatlanta falconsjacksonville jaguarsnfl trade deadlinekevin stefanski

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