The Falcons’ record is starting to put a few names on the trade radar, and Jessie Bates III is one of the biggest ones to watch.
Atlanta enters Week 7 at 2-4, with a tough matchup ahead against a 6-0 San Francisco 49ers team. There has been some life since Michael Penix Jr. took over at quarterback, with the Falcons going 2-2 in his four starts. Even so, the overall standings could force the front office into some uncomfortable decisions before the deadline.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler floated Bates as a possible trade candidate if Atlanta’s season keeps slipping.
"Also, could a team pry safety Jessie Bates III out of Atlanta? He will be a free agent in 2027, and the Falcons are sitting at 2-4," Fowler writes. "I doubt Atlanta wants to trade him, but his value would be strong if that changes."
Bates has been a major piece for Atlanta since arriving in 2023, and that same season marked the first Pro Bowl selection of his nine-year NFL career. He has 27 interceptions overall, production that would make him an obvious target for teams looking for safety help.
The wrinkle here is timing. Bates is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season, so if the Falcons don’t plan to extend him - or aren’t confident they can get something done - the deadline could become a real decision point.
That only gets louder if Atlanta drops more games before the Week 10 NFL trade deadline. If the Falcons go 1-2 over their next three and land at 3-6 or worse, moving Bates would at least make sense from a future-building standpoint.
It would not be a popular move. Bates is a fan favorite, and dealing him would sting.
But if Atlanta falls out of the playoff picture, he becomes one of the more intriguing names to monitor as November approaches. For now, a deal doesn’t look imminent.
Still, the rumors around Bates are worth keeping an eye on.
In Other News...
Falcons Have A Bigger Michael Penix Jr. Problem Than Fans Realize
Michael Penix Jr. has given the Falcons enough reason to believe they may have something at quarterback. In four starts this season, he has looked poised enough to keep the offense moving, with deep passing and play-action becoming real strengths as Atlanta has leaned into what he does best. The early returns have been encouraging enough that the conversation around him is no longer just about upside, but about how quickly the rest of the operation can catch up.
The problem is the support system around him still looks fragile, especially up front. Atlantas offensive line has struggled to hold up against pressure, and the issues at tackle have made the protection picture even murkier. For a young quarterback showing promise, that matters because the development arc is only as stable as the time he gets to throw, and right now the Falcons still have work to do before Penix can be evaluated in something closer to ideal conditions. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Suddenly Face A Linebacker Problem They Cant Ignore
The Falcons roster shuffle this week was about more than just a change at quarterback. While Atlanta signed Andy Dalton and moved on from Cooper Rush, the bigger immediate concern was on defense, where the team also dipped into the market for help by adding edge rusher Charles Snowden from the Washington Commanders practice squad and bringing linebacker TJ Quinn onto its practice squad.
Quinn, an undrafted free agent who previously spent time with the Green Bay Packers, gives Atlanta another body at linebacker as injuries have thinned that group. Divine Deablo is among the players the Falcons are trying to cover for, and Kendal Daniels is dealing with a situation that has left his availability very much up in the air, forcing the team to keep patching the position while it waits for more clarity. [Read more 🡒]
Falcons Defense Could Get A Huge Lift At Just The Right Time
The Falcons defense is getting healthier at a time when the stretch run leaves little margin for error. Divine Deablo is feeling better after an arm injury, though his status for the next game remains up in the air, and the bigger encouraging sign came on the practice field with A.J. Terrell back working after his groin injury. For a unit that has had to manage its depth carefully, getting a starter back into the mix could make a noticeable difference.
There was another positive development with rookie linebacker Kendal Daniels, who also practiced after a serious injury and now appears to have a chance to play in the upcoming game. Atlanta has been waiting for reinforcements, and this week at least provided a glimpse that more help may be on the way. The only question now is how much of that help will actually be available when the Falcons take the field. [Read more 🡒]