The Jaguars announced their trade for safety Jessie Bates on Monday.
Bates is headed to Jacksonville to strengthen a position that’s been hit by injuries this season. Eric Murray will miss the rest of the year with an elbow injury and Antonio Johnson missed Week 8 with an ankle injury before returning for last Thursday’s win over the Ravens.
“Jessie has been a proven playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for the last 8+ seasons,” Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone said in a statement. “His skillset complements our style of play and the person he is aligns with our culture. We look forward to integrating Jessie into our team as we prepare for the back half of the season.”
The Jaguars are sending a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-rounder to the Falcons. The Falcons also agreed to pay the bulk of Bates’s salary for the rest of this season. Bates is set to be a free agent in March.
Bates was a second-team All-Pro for the third time in his career last season. He has one interception this season and had 14 in his three-plus years with the Falcons.