The Jacksonville Jaguars bolstered their secondary one day before the NFL trade deadline by acquiring veteran safety Jessie Bates III from the Atlanta Falcons, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal adds Bates to a Jacksonville team that stands at 6-2.

Jacksonville traded a 2027 second round draft pick and a 2028 fifth round pick to Atlanta in the deal, sources told Schefter. The two selections provide additional draft capital for a Falcons organization working through a transition phase.

Trade: Falcons are sending former Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 2nd-round pick and a 2028 5th-round pick, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/zsvYXRXj0P

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2026

Bates is in the final year of a four year, $64 million contract. He will replace injured Jaguars starter Eric Murray, who will miss the remainder of the season because of an elbow injury.

Murray was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 3. His absence created an opening in Jacksonville’s secondary, and the Jaguars filled that spot by bringing in Bates before the trade deadline.

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The 29 year old Bates has played parts of nine seasons with the Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals. He was selected to the Pro Bowl during his first season with Atlanta in 2023.

Bates has recorded 28 career interceptions. He also has produced at least one interception in every season of his career, bringing that record of production to a Jacksonville defense that ranks among the NFL leaders in takeaways.

The Jaguars lead the league in turnover ratio at plus-9 and rank third with 11 interceptions. Jacksonville also holds a three game lead in the AFC South heading into Sunday’s road game against the Tennessee Titans.

Jacksonville ranks fifth in the NFL in rush defense, allowing 89.3 yards per game. The Jaguars had ranked first in that category until they surrendered 172 rushing yards to Baltimore on Thursday night.

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The Jaguars rank 22nd in pass defense at 229 yards allowed per game. Bates now joins that secondary as Jacksonville prepares to face Tennessee, which enters Sunday’s game with a 1-7 record.

The Falcons moved Bates after falling to 3-6 following a 34-17 loss to the Bengals on Sunday in Madrid. Atlanta remains one game out of first place in the NFC South despite its record.

Bates is scheduled to become a free agent this offseason, and the Falcons were unlikely to re-sign him. Atlanta’s transition phase and its plans for the future contributed to the context surrounding the trade.

New Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has been clear that he wants to build the franchise through the draft. Atlanta had only five draft picks in 2026, a situation Cunningham vowed would never happen again.

This also is the first season for president of football Matt Ryan and coach Kevin Stefanski. The Falcons are not necessarily rebuilding, but they are looking ahead as the new group shapes its plans for the roster.

Atlanta is projected to have the most salary cap space in the NFL this coming offseason, with more than $142 million available according to Spotrac. That flexibility will be paired with the additional draft capital acquired in the Bates trade.

The Falcons have running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts signed long term. The new regime has an opportunity to construct the roster the way it would like around those three players.

Atlanta also has second year safety Xavier Watts, who will move into Bates’ role. The Falcons’ group of young defensive backs also includes Billy Bowman Jr. and Avieon Terrell as the organization turns its attention toward the future.