Eh. You also don’t get better by holding on to good players on a bad team until they decline. Doing that is why we haven’t had a winning season in 9 years. I’m glad this new regime took an honest look in the mirror and realized future flexibility is > maximizing 2026.
Here’s what the #Falcons must reconcile with the fan base after the Jessie Bates trade …
You don’t get better - in the long term or the short term - by trading away good players. What you’re getting in return is a low percentage chance to be at the level of Bates at his position.
You say you want to win, but getting rid of one of your best players makes that more difficult.
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BG retweeted
SEC Football Championship Game to conclude historic 35-year run as College Football Playoff expands: SECsports.social/fbchamp35
It’s crazy but I feel better about the Falcons after trading their best defensive player. It’s moves like that that give me confidence that the front office gets it.
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BG retweeted
Thank you @jlbiii3
Good luck brother.
You are one of the best in the league. But you are a better person.
👊🏾
BG retweeted
The #Falcons are trading All-Pro and Pro Bowl S Jessie Bates III to the #Jaguars per @AdamSchefter. Atlanta pays most of Bates’ $6.5M salary to complete the deal.
Some secondary help from one of the NFL’s best ball hawks.
BG retweeted
Jessie Bates in Atlanta;
14 INT (4th in NFL)
11 FF (most by any DB, 6th overall)
4 defensive TDs (T-2nd)
378 tackles
The only player in the league with 10+ INTs AND 10+ forced fumbles in that span.
Most underrated defender in football.
#DirtyBirds
