The Falcons’ secondary was much improved last season, thanks in large part to the addition of All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, but it can still stand for some substantial upgrades this offseason.
To say the Falcons’ $64 million investment in Jessie Bates III paid off would be an understatement. He was the gem of the free agent class and was the team’s most valuable player.
The Falcons will be represented by Chris Lindstrom and Jessie Bates III at this year’s Pro Bowl, and both were named to the second All-Pro team as well.
It was a tough season for Atlanta Falcons fans who watched the team remain mediocre, finishing 7-10 for the third straight season. Still, someone who proved themselves to be a star during that time was free agent safety signing Jessie Bates III.
It’s not an exaggeration to say Jessie Bates III is single-handedly responsible for several Falcons victories. Dating back to the season opener, Bates picked off Bryce Young twice while forcing another fumble.
Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III is receiving league-wide recognition after his performance on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Bates was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 12 after scoring off a pick-6 and forcing a big fumble in Sunday's win against the Saints.
The Falcons committed more than $250 million to contracts this offseason, and the gem of the free agent class was Jessie Bates III. The club handed out a $64 million deal to Bates, who gets $36 million over the first two seasons and the other $28 million in the last two.
The Atlanta Falcons signed safety Jessie Bates III to a four-year, $64M contract this offseason. Clearly, it was a great decision.
The Falcons handed out several lucrative contracts over the offseason after the club finally got out from underneath the mountain of dead cap left behind by the former regime.
Jessie Bates III is already one of the best free agent signings in Falcons history. Not only does he show up in all phases, but he’s also a force multiplier.
We’re betting that inside Atlanta Falcons headquarters, the happy Tuesday news is about the least surprising thing going on in the NFL right now. Atlanta defensive back Jessie Bates III has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for 2023 Week 1, the NFL announced … because of course he has.
The gem of the Falcons free agent class this offseason was Jessie Bates III, who comes over from the Bengals after five successful seasons in Cincinnati.
Jessie Bates III is with the Atlanta Falcons now after spending his first five NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. Check out his goodbye post to Cincinnati as he exits for the NFC and a new four-year, $64 million deal.
Shortly after Vonn Bell committed to the Carolina Panthers, Jessie Bates will join him in the NFC South. The former Cincinnati Bengals safety agreed to terms with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday afternoon, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The question here is just how much of an upgrade Bates would be for what promises to be a hefty price tag. Spotrac currently has Bates' market value set at $14 million annually.
Although their top two leading tacklers this season were both safeties, ESPN’s Matt Bowen believes the Browns could use an upgrade at the position.
Losing Bates would be a significant blow to Cincinnati’s secondary. Playing on the franchise tag last season, the 25-year-old safety excelled as a run defender (88.3 PFF grade) and recorded four interceptions.
The Bengals appeared to pull a bit of a fast one on the Chiefs, as well as the referees, during Sunday’s game.
Cincinnati Bengals star safety Jessie Bates III is not expected to be on any plays limit during Week 1 of the NFL season despite being away from the team for the majority of training camp.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III ended his holdout on Tuesday after months of being unwilling to play the season on a franchise tender.
The Bengals and safety Jessie Bates were unable to agree to terms on a new contract and Bates is unlikely to show up for training camp, but it doesn't sound like the Bengals are prepared to move their safety.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is the most important player on the team. Arguably the second-most important player on the roster is star safety Jessie Bates.
The deadline for franchise players to sign multiyear contracts is less than a week away, and it doesn’t sound like a resolution is coming between the Bengals and safety Jessie Bates.
Bates has balked at signing the franchise tag, leaving his contract situation with the Bengals in limbo.
The former second-round pick has proven consistent since the Bengals took him with the 54th pick three years ago.
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