Jessie Bates Bio
Jessie Bates III is an American professional football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 1 in and weighing around 210 lb, he plays the free safety position and is regarded as one of the league’s most consistent defensive backs. Bates has built his reputation on ball-hawking instincts, dependable tackling, and leadership in the secondary, earning Pro Bowl recognition and multiple All-Pro honors across his career.
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bates developed into a top college prospect at Wake Forest before entering the NFL in 2018. After spending his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he helped the team reach Super Bowl LVI, he signed a major free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Jessie Bates III was born on February 26, 1997, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He grew up in a close-knit household as the son of his single mother, Theresa, and one of seven siblings, including his older sister Aaliyah, his younger brother Von, and his step-siblings Donavan, Nate, Kameron, and Ariana. The demands of a large family helped shape his disciplined approach and strong work ethic, qualities that would later define his football career.
He attended Snider High School in Fort Wayne, where he starred in football and also played basketball, sharpening the athleticism and competitive edge that would catch the attention of college recruiters. Although he originally committed to play for the Toledo Rockets, Bates flipped his commitment in February 2015 and chose to join the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, setting the stage for his collegiate rise.
Path to Professional Football
Bates arrived at Wake Forest in 2015 and redshirted his true freshman year, preserving a season of eligibility while adjusting to the college level. As a redshirt freshman in 2016, he played in all 13 games and produced a breakout campaign, recording 100 tackles, five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble. His strong play earned him USA Today Freshman All-America honors, second-team All-ACC recognition, and a spot on the ACC All-Freshman First Team.
During his redshirt sophomore season in 2017, Bates appeared in 11 games and continued to impress with 79 tackles, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble. He also contributed as a punt returner, showing the versatility that scouts valued. After the season, he announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the 2018 NFL Draft, where he was projected as one of the top safety prospects in the class.
Jessie Bates Career
Pre-Draft Preparation and Cincinnati Bengals (2018-2022)
Bates impressed scouts at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine with strong marks in the 60-yard shuttle, three-cone drill, and short shuttle, opting only to skip the bench press. He also held a productive pro day at Wake Forest, where he completed the bench press and ran a 4.25-second short shuttle. After pre-draft visits with several teams, including the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers, he was projected as a second or third-round pick.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Bates in the second round with the 54th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the fourth safety taken that year. He signed a four-year rookie contract and quickly earned a starting role at free safety, opening his career with a Week 1 victory at the Indianapolis Colts and recording his first interception the following week against the Baltimore Ravens. He closed his rookie season with 111 tackles, three interceptions, and a defensive touchdown, earning a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Established Starter and Playoff Success (2019-2021)
From 2019 through 2021, Bates developed into one of the league’s most reliable safeties. He started every game in 2019, recording 100 tackles and three interceptions, and was a key piece of the Bengals’ secondary through coaching changes. In 2020, he delivered arguably his finest season to that point, posting 109 tackles, three interceptions, and earning second-team All-Pro honors, while Pro Football Focus graded him as the top safety in the NFL out of 172 players.
The 2021 season brought both a midseason neck injury that briefly ended a long consecutive starts streak and a strong second half, including a career-long 65-yard interception return against the New York Jets. The Bengals finished atop the AFC North with a 10-7 record, and Bates played a leading role in their playoff run, including an interception of Ryan Tannehill in the Divisional Round and another against Matthew Stafford in Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2023-Present)
On March 16, 2023, the Atlanta Falcons signed Bates to a four-year, $64.02 million contract that included $36 million in guaranteed money, signaling his arrival as a centerpiece of the defense. He immediately took over as the starting free safety and opened the season with a dominant performance against the Carolina Panthers, tying his career high with two interceptions and earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. In 2023, he started all 17 games, setting career highs with 132 tackles, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles, and was voted to his first Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro.
Bates continued his high level of play in 2024, starting all 17 games and recording 102 tackles, ten pass deflections, and four interceptions, including a sealing pick against the Philadelphia Eagles and his first career sack on Jayden Daniels. In 2025, he remained a central figure in the Falcons’ secondary, finishing the season with 98 total tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defended, along with a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bates is widely respected for his range as a free safety, his tackling consistency in the open field, and his ability to read opposing quarterbacks. He pairs dependable run support with sharp ball skills, regularly producing takeaways and breaking up passes. His understanding of coverage concepts and his steady communication in the secondary have made him a defensive leader for every team he has played with.
Notable Events and Milestones
Highlights of Bates’ career include his three second-team All-Pro selections in 2020, 2023, and 2025, his 2023 Pro Bowl selection, and his standout performances in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2021 playoff run, including an interception in Super Bowl LVI. He has also recorded multiple NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards and has been recognized in the NFL Top 100 Players rankings by his peers, underscoring his status among the league’s elite safeties.
Jessie Bates Career Wins
Throughout his career, Jessie Bates III has earned a series of individual accolades and team achievements that highlight his impact at every level. As a freshman at Wake Forest, he was named to multiple All-America and All-ACC teams, and he has continued to collect honors in the NFL, including three second-team All-Pro selections, a Pro Bowl nod, and a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Professional Highlights
In the NFL, Bates has posted career-high totals of six interceptions and 132 combined tackles in a single season, both achieved in 2023 with the Atlanta Falcons. His first career interception came as a rookie in 2018 against the Baltimore Ravens, and his most recent standout moment came in 2025 with a 34-yard pick-six against the Los Angeles Rams. He has also anchored two deep playoff runs, including a Super Bowl appearance with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Other Achievements
Bates was named a second-team All-ACC selection in 2016 during his redshirt freshman season at Wake Forest, an early indicator of the production that would follow at the professional level. His combination of collegiate recognition and sustained NFL excellence places him among the most accomplished safeties of his draft class.
Jessie Bates Family
Family Background and Lineage
Jessie Bates III was raised by his single mother, Theresa, alongside six siblings, including his older sister Aaliyah, his younger brother Von, and his step-siblings Donavan, Nate, Kameron, and Ariana. Family has remained a central part of his life, and he has often spoken about the role his mother and siblings played in his journey to the NFL.
Personal Life
Off the field, Bates is known for his community involvement and his commitment to family, frequently crediting his upbringing in Fort Wayne for his grounded approach to the game. He maintains an active public presence and continues to be a positive influence for young athletes from similar backgrounds.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Jessie Bates III continued to anchor the Atlanta Falcons’ secondary as their starting free safety, playing a full season and finishing with 98 total tackles, three interceptions, and six passes defended. He added a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams, providing one of the year’s signature defensive moments for the Falcons.
His consistency in coverage and run support remained central to Atlanta’s defensive identity, and he earned a third second-team All-Pro selection in recognition of his play. With his experience and leadership intact, Bates remained one of the most trusted safeties in the NFC and a foundation of the Falcons’ long-term defensive plans.
