The Atlanta Falcons made another big splash on the opening day of the NFL’s free agency by signing former Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates with a hefty salary.
Jessie played for the Bengals for five years after they picked him in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft. He signed a four-year, $4.94 million contract with the Bengals with a $1.68 million signing bonus. After the four-year contract, the Bengals offered him a franchise tag on last August.
However, from that situation, the safety managed to land a colossal payday on the opening of free agency.
What is the deal that Jessie Bates signed with the Falcons?
The 26-year-old signed a four-year, $64 million contract deal with the Falcons, where the safety will earn a guaranteed $23 million in the first year and $13 million in his second year of the contract.
Falcons are giving former Bengals S Jessie Bates a four-year, $64.02 million deal that includes $23 million in year one and $36 million in first two years of the deal, per source. He now is the fourth highest-paid S in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023
With an average salary of $16 million per year, Bates has become the fourth highest-paid safety in the NFL, following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Seattle Seahawks’ Jamal Adams, and the Minnesota Vikings’ Harrison Smith.
The spike in his salary shocked the NFL community, but the reason behind such a sharp spike might be the Buffalo Bills’ safety; Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest incident taking place last season made the whole sports world bamboozled.
Although Jessie demonstrated a consistent performance throughout his career, making him an undeniably dependable player on the team, he completed 327 solo tackles while defending 43 passes and making 14 interceptions in five seasons.
Prior to joining the Bengals, the safety played for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team for two years during his college career. With salary cap pressure and new options’ arrival, Bates’ position in the starting lineup became uncertain, and the Falcons didn’t think twice about grabbing the opportunity.
What’s your reaction to Jessie Bates’ joining the falcons? Can he prove his worth next season? Leave your thoughts with us in the comments section.
