Falcons’ Jessie Bates trade exposed what Atlanta’s biggest offseason mistake was

The decision to extend Kyle Pitts over Jessie Bates has becomes even more brutal for the Atlanta Falcons.

By Grayson Freestone · Blogging Dirty

Published: Monday, 9 November 2026 at 9:00 PM

Key Things to Know

Writer Grayson Freestone argues Atlanta's biggest mistake was extending tight end Kyle Pitts instead of safety Jessie Bates III.
The Falcons traded Bates to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick.
Pitts received an extension averaging $18 million per year while playing only 59 percent of offensive snaps.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Writer Grayson Freestone argues that the Atlanta Falcons made a major mistake by extending tight end Kyle Pitts instead of safety Jessie Bates III. With his contract expiring at season's end, Bates was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, leaving a critical void in Atlanta's defense.

Freestone notes that Bates was playing 97 percent of defensive snaps, while Pitts signed an $18 million per year extension despite managing limited snaps and modest production. The author contends Atlanta should have extended Bates and utilized the franchise tag on Pitts instead.

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Falcons’ Jessie Bates trade exposed what Atlanta’s biggest offseason mistake was

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