The Atlanta Falcons have apparently decided to play for the future, while the Jacksonville Jaguars are going all-in.
A day after their 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, the Falcons reportedly traded safety Jessie Bates to the Jaguars for two draft picks, according to ESPN. Jacksonville will give up a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick in exchange for Bates.
However, that was far from the only decision the Jaguars made on Monday. Shortly after, the team reportedly acquired New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Davon Godchaux in a deal, according to The Ringer. The Jaguars gave up a sixth-round pick in exchange for Godchaux.
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And just hours later, Jacksonville landed another blockbuster trade, landing DT Jordan Davis while sending multiple picks to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Bates has quite a long history of success in the NFL. Although Bates only made one Pro Bowl during his career, he was selected to three All-Pro second teams. His most recent selection came last season, when he made 98 tackles for the Falcons.
Bates, 29, is off to another great start in 2026. In nine games, he has recorded 60 tackles and three forced fumbles. He’ll bring those skills to an already dominant Jaguars defense that allows the second-fewest points per game.
This cost Jacksonville dearly, especially since Bates is in the final year of his contract. Unless extended, he will be a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
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But Jacksonville may sense the current roster has Super Bowl upside. Thanks to a solid defense and an explosive offense, the Jaguars are 6-2 after Week 9. While the other teams in the AFC have been impressive, the Jaguars might have the best overall team in the league. The addition of Bates, alongside Godchaux and Davis, should only help strengthen that claim.
For the Falcons, the move indicates the team will likely play through 2027. After Sunday’s loss to the Bengals, the Falcons fell to 3-6 on the season.
With the playoffs unlikely, the Falcons will begin trading any player who doesn’t play a significant role in the team’s progress. Bates was the first – and might be the biggest – name traded as the team focuses on the future.
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