The Atlanta Falcons went into free agency with over $60 million and they weren’t afraid to use it. The team went on a spending frenzy, landing one of the biggest names on the market in safety Jessie Bates III.
On Monday, Atlanta announced that Bates will be wearing the No. 30 this season — the same number he wore during his five years in Cincinnati.
JB3-👌
3️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/SAFuuDEYwF
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) April 24, 2023
Bates has been a difference-maker since being selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2018 draft. The 26-year-old has appeared in 79 career games, recording 479 combined tackles, 43 passes defended and 14 interceptions.
The Falcons also signed cornerback Mike Hughes and traded for former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah. These three additions will join star cornerback A.J. Terrell and third-year safety Richie Grant in the secondary this season.
