Falcons reportedly trading Jessie Bates III to Jaguars for two draft picks

The Atlanta Falcons are trading safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Nov. 9, 2026.

Jacksonville’s search for a safety followed Eric Murray’s season-ending injury, Schefter reported in a follow-up post. The injury prompted the Jaguars to explore the safety market.

Bates signed with Atlanta in 2023. According to Schefter’s follow-up, he has started all 60 possible games during his Falcons tenure, totaling 14 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and 392 tackles as of the report.

Atlanta is paying most of Bates’ $6.5 million salary to complete the deal, @RapSheet reported, crediting Schefter for the trade news. @RapSheet did not specify the payment split.

Bates’ contract is in its final year, and he is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March 2027, Schefter reported.