The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with free-agent safety Jessie Bates III, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Bates is getting a four-year deal worth $64.02 million, per Tom Pelissero.
Four years, $64.02 million for Jessie Bates, who gets $23M in Year 1, per source. https://t.co/7dtPtrtq6f
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2023
While the team cannot sign anyone officially until the start of the new league year on Wednesday, March 15, negotiating is allowed during the NFL’s legal tampering period of free agency.
Bates, 27, is a rangy free safety that will instantly upgrade the Falcons defensive secondary. In 2022, Bates recorded four interceptions and has 14 total over his five-year NFL career.
Originally drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018, Bates comes to Atlanta where he should slide right in as the free safety next to Richie Grant.
