Jaguars Acquire Jessie Bates III From Falcons, Sending 2027 Second-Round Pick and 2028 Fifth-Round Pick
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a significant addition to their defense ahead of the NFL trade deadline, acquiring veteran safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round selection, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Jacksonville officially announced the trade on Monday, and it is pending a physical.
The Jaguars entered the deal with a 6-2 record through eight games and are coming off a dominant 33-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The move comes after starting safety Eric Murray suffered a season-ending elbow injury during Jacksonville's Week 8 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on November 1.
Murray sustained the injury during the first quarter and did not return. The following day, head coach Liam Coen confirmed that the veteran safety would miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Murray, 32, signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with Jacksonville in 2025. He appeared in six games this season, recording 15 tackles before his injury.
Bates, 29, gives Jacksonville an experienced playmaker in a secondary that has been a major part of its defensive success.
Through eight games, the Jaguars have allowed just 121 points, averaging 15.1 points per game. That ranks second in the NFL in scoring defense, according to FOX Sports. Jacksonville has also recorded 11 interceptions this season.
Bates has recorded 60 tackles, one interception, and three forced fumbles through nine games with Atlanta. He also has a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
The veteran safety earned his third Second-Team All-Pro selection last season, adding another accomplished player to a Jacksonville defense looking to maintain its strong start.
His contract situation is another storyline to watch. Bates is in the final year of the four-year, $64.02 million contract he signed with Atlanta in 2023, which included $36 million in guaranteed money. He could become an unrestricted free agent in March 2027 if Jacksonville does not reach an extension with him.
Atlanta entered Monday with a 3-6 record after suffering a 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
With the Falcons struggling to find consistency and Bates approaching free agency, moving the veteran safety allows the organization to add valuable draft capital rather than risk losing him without receiving a direct trade return.
Atlanta receives a second-round selection in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2028, giving the franchise additional assets as it evaluates the direction of its roster.
For Jacksonville, the move represents an immediate investment in a defense that has helped establish the Jaguars as one of the AFC's leading teams through the first portion of the season.
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