Jaguars make a major move to land All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III from the Falcons
Jacksonville orchestrated this blockbuster move on Monday, November 9, 2026, ahead of the league’s Tuesday trade deadline. To bring in the three-time second-team All-Pro standout, the Jaguars sent a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick to Atlanta.
Adding to the “gold strike” aspect for Jacksonville, the Falcons agreed to pick up the vast majority of Bates’ remaining $6.5 million salary for the rest of the 2026 season, making it an incredibly team-friendly financial transaction for a surging Jaguars squad pushing for a Super Bowl.
The acquisition directly addresses an immediate roster crisis; starting safety Eric Murray went down with a season-ending elbow injury on November 3. Bates slots into a defense that ranks among the league’s elite but was giving up 229.0 passing yards per game.
Bates brings high-end coverage stability, leadership, and durability, having missed just three games across his entire nine-year career.
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