Falcons need to sign Jessie Bates to a long-term extension before it's too late

When former Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot signed Jessie Bates III in March 2023, he was arguably THE available free agent in the NFL: a four-year, $64 million deal, immediately becoming the most talented defender on the team fresh off a Super Bowl appearance with the Cincinnati Bengals. Make no mistake, those Bengals have been regretting letting him walk ever since.

As far as individual successes, accolades, and statistics, Bates has been one of the best safeties in the NFL. 58 games started of 58 possible games: 372 tackles, 31 pass breakups, 14 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles, 4 touchdowns, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Sprinkle a dash of two Second-Team All-Pro nominations on top of that, Bates has had every right to be one of the more vocal leaders and recognizable faces on the team during his time in Atlanta.

Bates got off to a slow start in 2026, but has been playing out of his mind since. In the win over the 49ers, he amassed nine tackles, two PBUs, a beautiful toe-tap interception, and the game-sealing forced fumble of George Kittle. Simply put, had it not been for JB3, Atlanta don't hand the Niners their first loss of the season.

But here's the thing. The Falcons have a tenured, scheme-familiar, yet-to-turn 30-year-old safety vying for a payday. He's playing on an expiring contract, and they should lock him up for another two years before someone in the market offers him even more time and even more cash.

Proactiveness on the extension market has been a big thing for this new Matt Ryan-Ian Cunningham-Kevin Stefanski regime, as seen with names like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Matthew Bergeron, and Gervon Dexter Sr., so pay him before it gets too late.

Ian Cunningham and the Atlanta Falcons need to sign Jessie Bates to an extension

Addressing the Age Factor

Address the age for those saying “he’s too old” for extension. Bates turns 30 right after the Super Bowl. Future Hall of Famer Harrison Smith is balling out at 37, Kevin Byard is starting for the Patriots at 33, Tony Jefferson is 34 with the Chargers, Jalen Ramsey is playing nickel at 32, Tyrann Mathieu retired at 33, Justin Simmons retired at 32, and Kareem Jackson retired at 38.

Get the point of those receipts and testimonials? Safeties can remain elite into their early-to-mid 30s, particularly ones who are of Bates' caliber. The man is playing 96% of the defensive snaps this season. With star second-year safety Xavier Watts still under the wing of Bates on his own four-year rookie contract, he’s set up to take the lead of the unit right at his own first extension time.

Drafting or signing a Jessie Bates replacement is not in the cards

If the NFL Draft were tomorrow, the Falcons would hold Picks 15, 46, 77, 114, 218, 221, and 234. Assuming GM Ian Cunningham would never aim to replace a starter with a 200+ pick, that leaves four he could play with as far as the safety class. Consider other positional needs, such as OT, WR, DL, depth LB, etc. for those spots as well.

Frankly, 15 and 114 should not be considered either. Names that are possible at 46 in my opinion? Texas’s Jelani McDonald or Notre Dame’s Tae Johnson were he to declare. 77? Maybe Oklahoma’s Peyton Bowen, LSU’s Ty Benefield, or Tennessee’s Dejuan Lane. Other Free Agents really aren’t an option - Bates or Draft.

And his cost likely wouldn't change much on an extension, Spotrac's Market Value projects Bates will make roughly the same per-year salary ($16.7 million AAV) as he does currently.

Even after recent extensions of talents like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Matthew Bergeron, and Gervon Dexter Sr., the Falcons currently lead the NFL in available 2027 cap space at $141.42 million.

Yes, decisions have to be made about upcoming free agents other than Bates, including:

• Divine Deablo
• Jawaan Taylor
• Charlie Woerner
• Ryan Neuzil
• Sydney Brown

There’s also perspective free agents around the league we can project the Falcons to possibly be interested in cutting a check were they left available. Having said all that, the chunk of remaining money has to be spent somewhere. Falcons Senior Vice President of Football Administration/Senior Personnel Executive Bryce Johnston has proven to be an expert in managing the salary cap across his time with the Philadelphia Eagles and time in Atlanta so far.

So instead of any bogus trade deadline rumors you may have heard, him get to work and get Jessie Bates appropriately paid, because his play indicates he's next in line to get a payday--and it's time to get it done before it's too late.

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