Jessie Bates III leaving Bengals for Falcons in free agency
Former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III has agreed to a contract with the Atlanta Falcons, NFL Network reported on Monday. It's a four-year deal with a roughly $16 million average annual salary.
Bates is the second defensive back Cincinnati has lost to free agency, as safety Vonn Bell inked a deal with the Carolina Panthers. The two defensive backs were among the 20 Bengals players on the open market.
Analysis from Fox Sports' free-agent rankings:
Bates has quietly been one the best safeties in the league for three years running. He had a career-high four interceptions this season and has topped 100 tackles in three of his five seasons in the league. Spotrac has his market value listed at $15 million per year, which is a slight bump from his previous $12 million salary. Bates was already given the franchise tag last season. The Bengals won't place it on him again, which means he should be highly sought-after by multiple terms.
The 25-year-old Bates and had a career-high four interceptions this year and has topped 100 tackles in three of his five seasons in the league. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in 2018.
The Bengals selected Bates in the second round in the 2018 draft out of Wake Forest.
Top stories from FOX Sports:
- 2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings: 64 best available players
- Aaron Rodgers’ most likely landing spots after Derek Carr domino falls
- Texas spring storylines: Can Arch Manning win Longhorns’ QB battle?
- Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes: Ranking every MLB team's chances to sign him
- Pau Gasol thinking of Kobe Bryant ahead of Lakers honor: ‘He elevated me.’
- NASCAR power rankings: Ross Chastain rises to top spot after Las Vegas
- Early bettors backing Justin Fields to win NFL MVP award in 2023-24