If the Atlanta Falcons had a “Player of the Year” award, Jessie Bates III would be one of the first names that came to mind as a prospective candidate. Bates, one of the Falcons’ coveted free-agent additions this offseason, has made an immediate impact for the team’s defense both on and off the field, putting him in contention for All-Pro accolades.
“What doesn’t work? I mean, the guy does it all. “It’s a good question,” Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen said of Bates’ deserving of the awards. “It really is because when you try to find flaws in his game, there really isn’t anything he doesn’t do well.” That’s the problem.”
The 26-year-old safety is having a breakout season, with 117 tackles, three forced fumbles, and six interceptions in 15 games. Bates has not only been a playmaker in a Falcons secondary that struggled a year ago. But, while playing alongside younger colleagues like DeMarco Hellams and Richie Grant, he’s also supplied senior leadership. Despite the Falcons giving the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon a hefty four-year $64 million contract in free agency this offseason, making him the fourth-highest-paid safety in his league, his performance has at the very least met up to the expectations of his deal.
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“I’m not sure if there were any expectations….” It’s not fair to say, ‘Hey, we expected him to have five interceptions,’ or to any of the other guys. What were we thinking? Excellent ball skills and a strong open-field tackler. What I didn’t realize was the leadership and the things you attempt to tell people about the guy and everything. Now, it has exceeded my expectations for the type of guy we would get in here. It’s all about the intangibles.”
Bates and the Falcons return to play on Sunday, when they travel to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears. The game begins at 1 p.m. ET inside Soldier Field.
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