Jessie Bates III Set to Face Bengals in Madrid Matchup

Bates Prepares to Face His Former Team in Madrid

The Cincinnati Bengals play the Atlanta Falcons at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Sunday. The game features a matchup against safety Jessie Bates III, who played for Cincinnati from 2018 to 2022.

Bates entered the league as a second round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2018. He helped lead the franchise to a Super Bowl appearance at the end of the 2021 season. He later left in free agency and joined Atlanta on a four year contract worth just over $64 million.

Both teams enter the matchup needing a victory. Atlanta has three wins and five losses as it hopes to end a nine year playoff drought. Cincinnati holds five wins and two losses as it aims for its first postseason appearance since 2022, which was Bates' final year with the team.

The Cost of Replacing a Star Safety

After quarterback Joe Burrow signed his major contract, Cincinnati chose to invest heavily in its passing attack rather than keeping Bates. Since his departure, the Bengals have used four different players in his former role.

Those four contracts have cost a combined total of $77.9 million. That figure includes Dax Hill, a 2022 first round pick. Cincinnati also signed Bryan Cook this offseason to a three year contract worth over $40 million. Cook won two Super Bowls with Kansas City before joining the team.

Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden expressed confidence in his current safety group. He highlighted Jordan Battle, Kyle Dugger, and Cook as solid contributors on the defense.

Bates Delivers Elite Defense in Atlanta

Bates earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023 during his first year with Atlanta. He is also a two time second team All Pro selection.

This season, Bates and Jevon Holland of the New York Giants are the only NFL safeties with multiple forced fumbles, an interception, and at least four pass deflections. Atlanta defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich called Bates one of the best players he has coached in nearly three decades in the NFL.

Speaking in Madrid on Thursday, Bates reflected on facing his former club. He noted that leaving a team you love is part of the business, but expressed excitement about playing against familiar teammates.

What it means for the next game

Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons (NFL, Sun, 08 Nov): Atlanta Falcons win 37%, Cincinnati Bengals win 63%; projected score Atlanta Falcons 24, Cincinnati Bengals 28. Our safest pick: Bengals +4.

Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons (NFL, Sun, 15 Nov): Atlanta Falcons win 38%, Kansas City Chiefs win 62%; projected score Atlanta Falcons 21, Kansas City Chiefs 24. Our safest pick: Under 53.5 points.