Jessie Bates

Jessie Bates III Bio

Jessie Bates III is an American professional football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 26, 1997, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bates attended Snider High School before playing college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he quickly established himself as one of the league’s top safeties. Over his career, Bates has earned multiple accolades including Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors while becoming known for his exceptional coverage skills and playmaking ability.

Early Life and Background

Jessie Bates III grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as the son of his single mother Theresa. He has six siblings including older sister Aaliyah, younger brother Von, and step-siblings Donavan, Nate, Kameron, and Ariana. At Snider High School, Bates excelled in both football and basketball, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would define his future career. His football performance attracted attention from multiple college programs, and he originally committed to play at the University of Toledo before flipping his commitment to Wake Forest in February 2015.

Path to Professional Football

Bates redshirted his true freshman season at Wake Forest in 2015, using the year to develop and adjust to the college level. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, he emerged as a playmaker, appearing in all 13 games and recording five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, along with 100 tackles. His standout performance earned him spots on the USA Today Freshman All-America Team, the All-ACC Second-team, and the ACC All-Freshman First-team. In his sophomore season, Bates continued to demonstrate his ball skills and coverage ability despite missing two games due to injury, accumulating 79 tackles and returning one punt for a touchdown before declaring for the 2018 NFL Draft in January 2018.

Jessie Bates III Career

Cincinnati Bengals (2018–2022)

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Jessie Bates III in the second round with the 54th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. The Bengals signed him to a four-year, $4.94 million contract in May 2018, and he immediately impressed during training camp. After veteran George Iloka was released, Bates earned the starting free safety job and made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2018 season. He recorded his first career interception in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens and scored his first professional touchdown on an interception return against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in October. Bates started all 16 games as a rookie, leading the team with 111 combined tackles while recording three interceptions and one touchdown. His performance earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Bates continued his strong play in 2019 and 2020, becoming the unquestioned leader of the Bengals secondary. In 2020, he recorded 109 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions while starting all 17 games. His outstanding season earned him second-team All-Pro honors, and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the highest-graded safety in the league with an overall grade of 90.1. The 2021 season saw Bates battle through a neck injury that forced him to miss his first career game, but he still recorded 88 tackles and one interception in 15 starts. His versatility proved crucial during the Bengals’ playoff run that season, as he recorded six combined tackles and three pass deflections in the Wildcard Game against the Las Vegas Raiders, followed by an interception in the Divisional Round against the Tennessee Titans and another in the AFC Championship victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. In Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams, Bates recorded six combined tackles and intercepted a pass in the end zone during the 23-20 loss.

Atlanta Falcons (2023–Present)

On March 16, 2023, the Atlanta Falcons signed Jessie Bates III to a four-year, $64.02 million contract with $36 million guaranteed. He immediately became the starting free safety under new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen and head coach Arthur Smith. In his Falcons debut against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 of the 2023 season, Bates recorded ten combined tackles, forced a fumble, and tied his career-high with two interceptions, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He continued his dominant play throughout the season, including a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints that earned him his second NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Bates started all 17 games in 2023 and set career-highs with 132 combined tackles, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles. His performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career.

The 2024 season brought new challenges with defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake taking over and the addition of veteran safety Justin Simmons. Bates responded with another strong season, including a Week 2 performance against the Philadelphia Eagles where he recorded 12 combined tackles and an interception to seal a 22-21 victory, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He recorded his first career sack against Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and returned an interception for a 55-yard touchdown against the New York Giants. Bates started all 17 games, accumulating 102 combined tackles, four interceptions, and ten pass deflections. He was ranked 92nd on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 list. The 2025 season saw Bates continue his consistent play with 98 total tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defended in 17 starts.

Playing Style and Strengths

Jessie Bates III is regarded as one of the premier safeties in the NFL, known for his exceptional coverage skills, ball instincts, and ability to make game-changing plays. His range allows him to cover deep thirds of the field effectively, while his tackling ability makes him a reliable option against both the run and short passing games. Pro Football Focus consistently graded Bates among the league’s top safeties, awarding him a career-high grade of 90.6 in 2023. His football IQ and anticipation skills enable him to read quarterback intentions and break on passes, resulting in his consistently high interception totals throughout his career.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Bates has established himself as a playoff performer, recording key interceptions throughout his postseason career including critical picks against the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs during the Bengals’ 2021-22 playoff run that culminated in a Super Bowl LVI appearance. His six-interception season in 2023 represented a career milestone and demonstrated his ability to be the centerpiece of a defense. With 27 career interceptions through the 2025 season, Bates ranks among the most productive safeties of his generation.

Jessie Bates III Career Statistics

Jessie Bates III has built impressive career statistics across seven seasons in the NFL, accumulating 811 total tackles, 27 interceptions, and 4 defensive touchdowns. His consistency is evident in his ability to start nearly every game throughout his career while maintaining high performance levels. Through the 2025 season, Bates has recorded 70 pass deflections, 11 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries, showcasing his ability to impact games in multiple ways.

NFL Career Highlights

Bates earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2023 after his standout season with the Atlanta Falcons, where he also earned second-team All-Pro honors for the second time in his career. His 2020 second-team All-Pro selection with the Bengals came during a season where he was ranked as the highest-graded safety in the league. His PFWA All-Rookie Team selection in 2018 signaled the beginning of a sustained period of excellence that has continued throughout his career.

Family

Family Background

Jessie Bates III grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as one of seven children raised by his mother Theresa. His family has supported his football career from the beginning, attending games and celebrating his achievements throughout his rise from high school standout to NFL star. The values instilled by his mother and the close-knit family environment contributed to Bates’ development as both a player and person.

Personal Life

Jessie Bates III maintains an active presence on social media and engages with fans through various platforms. He has continued to give back to his hometown of Fort Wayne, demonstrating his commitment to the community that helped shape his early years. His professional approach to football and personal life has earned him respect throughout the NFL.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season marked another solid campaign for Jessie Bates III in his third season with the Atlanta Falcons. Starting all 17 games at free safety, Bates recorded 98 total tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defended while continuing to serve as a leader in the Falcons secondary. His consistency and durability have remained trademarks of his game, as he has missed minimal games throughout his career. The Falcons continued their development under their coaching staff, and Bates remained a foundational piece of their defensive plans moving forward. His ability to make critical plays in key moments continued to demonstrate his value to the franchise and solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s premier safeties entering the prime of his career.