The Atlanta Falcons traded one of their best players ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline, sending safety Jessie Bates III to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a fifth-rounder in 2028. The move was somewhat surprising, only because Bates is still playing at an elite level.

However, the Falcons are just 3-6 and clearly not a threat in the NFC this season - even if their playoff hopes are still technically alive in the pathetic NFC South. Bates was brought in to help get Atlanta back to the playoffs, and despite turning in nearly four elite years, the team's postseason drought remains.

After news of the trade broke on Monday morning, Bates posted on his social media account that he was "forever grateful" to the city of Atlanta.

Bates, 29, made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his NFL career after signing with the Falcons in 2023. The veteran ballhawk amassed 392 tackles (243 solo), 14 interceptions, 31 passes defended and 11 forced fumbles over his 60 games in Atlanta.

The Falcons will likely look to Sydney Brown and DeMarcco Hellams to replace Bates in the lineup, pending more moves at the NFL trade deadline.