NFL insider tabs Falcons fan favorite Pro Bowl DB as potential trade candidate

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The Atlanta Falcons are 2-4 in the regular season entering play in Week 7, when they face a challenging San Francisco 49ers team that's currently 6-0.

There's finally some optimism for the Falcons since Michael Penix Jr. took over at quarterback, with the team 2-2 with him as the starter. But their poor record might lead to an uncomfortable trade deadline question or two for the Falcons.

If the Falcons lose a few more games by the trade deadline, a few players could be on the move. One of those potential trade candidates, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, could be beloved safety Jessie Bates III.

Jessie Bates III tabbed as potential trade chip for Falcons

"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 an incredible player for the Falcons since joining the team back in 2023, the first year he made the Pro Bowl in his nine-year NFL career.

He's recorded 27 interceptions in his NFL career and would surely be of great interest to NFL teams in need of safety help at this year's trade deadline.

But would the Falcons trade the beloved safety? While trading such a beloved player might not be popular, they do have reasons to trade him this Fall.

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He's set to become a free agent once the 2026 NFL season is over, and unless they can work out an extension, or feel confident an extension could get done, it'd make more sense to trade him.

That, of course, could only be the case if the 2-4 Falcons go 1-2 over their next three games before the Week 10 NFL trade deadline. In such a scenario, at 3-6 or worse, the Falcons would have reason to trade Bates.

Would it be popular? Probably not. But for the future of the franchise, trading Bates this Fall might be in the Falcons' best interest.

He's a name to watch this November in the trade market, especially if the Falcons fall well outside of the playoff hunt. For now, he's not looking likely to go anywhere. But fans should keep tabs on Bates rumors over the next few weeks.