Jessie Bates got news around 1:30 in the morning that would change his life forever. That news was that he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bates, Jacksonville’s first trade deadline acquisition of three this week, spoke to the Jacksonville media for the first time Thursday about what’s transpired in his life since being traded from the Falcons to Duval County. It’s been unsurprisingly a whirlwind but one both Bates and Jaguars fans can be extremely excited about.
“Just a lot of emotions,” Bates
said. “Very excited for what the future holds… I didn’t go to sleep because I was so excited.”
The way Bates learned of his trade was about as unconventional as it could get. He was on Atlanta’s team plane ride back over from playing in Spain when he learned he had been traded to Jacksonville. At that point it was already around 1:30 a.m., so Bates just stayed up. And got to tweeting.
Sleeping seems to be something Bates has put on the back burner since being traded, as he lamented he’s gotten around five hours of sleep (potentially total) since his Monday trade. On Thursday, defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile joked that Bates was living in the facility. The new safety said that while he’s actually staying in a hotel with his family, he’s basically living at the team buildings.
“I have been staying the night here just getting caught up on installs and figuring my way about (the Jaguar facilities),” Bates said. “It’s been a blessing. A great problem to have for sure.”
The three-time All-Pro spoke highly of his coaches, who in turn have spoken highly of him. Bates said of head coach Liam Coen that his energy at midweek 8 a.m. team meetings matches what he expects the energy on Sunday to look like. It’s that energy that builds championship-caliber programs in Bates’ eyes.
“The urgency,” Bates said of Coen’s delivery. “How clear the message is. Who we want to be and the clear identity. Every day has to be a gameday mindset and process.”
On Campanile, Bates might have found someone who sleeps less than he does.
“He was ready to install (when Bates first arrived),” Bates said. “When you have leaders like that, it’s easy to play for a guy like that. You can tell why they are having a lot of success.”
When the defensive coordinator talked about his new weapon, he spoke mostly about how much he respects Bates as a person. Much can be said about Bates’ ability to take the ball away but the way he carries himself goes just as far. That seems to not be lost on Bates who said his value to Jacksonville is equal parts on the field as it is off the field.
“I take pride in not just being a great football player, but a great person,” Bates said. “(And) being a great light in the building.”
Every good team needs a collection of savvy veterans and hungry young players. Bates slots right in the middle as a 29-year-old who’s been in the league since 2018. He’s not too old just yet, but wise enough to realize he needs to be a vocal leader to help Jacksonville reach the Super Bowl, which it sold many assets to potentially reach.
“Every good team has great vets, but great young guys who are open to learn,” Bates said. “I take pride in making sure guys around me are ready. I think that goes a long way.”
One way Bates can teach is by sharing his own Super Bowl experience with the Jaguars. Bates was on the Cincinnati Bengals when they made it to the big game in 2022, losing to the Los Angeles Rams by a field goal. Bates finished fourth on the Bengals with six tackles while also picking off quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Bates has made plays on the biggest stage football has to offer. But he didn’t earn a ring. This time around he thinks he has the group to repeat Cincy’s success and maybe even win the damn thing.
“This group is very special already,” Bates said. “I’m happy to be a part of it and to continue to build on what they’re already doing. When you talk about getting in those later playoff games, what matters is what we’re doing right now. That stuff translates. You have to prepare the same. Once you create that habit, it becomes who you are.”
The first look at Bates could easily be Sunday against the Titans. Part of the reason Bates has been camping out at the team facility is that he wants to play right away. Despite this being a new team, football’s coverage concepts don’t change. The game itself stays the same. Bates thinks his years in the league have prepared him for this moment and allow him to have a leg up on playing this weekend.
“Once you learn coverages conceptually you can understand what they’re doing over here,” Bates said. “It’s just different terminology. It’s a good problem to have. I feel like I’m ready. I’ve stayed in the building just to make sure I’m prepared and the guys can trust me and I can go out there and do my job at a high level.”
The safety joked his learning is harder than that of fellow trade deadline pickups Davon Godchaux and Jordan Davis. A safety has to know the whole defense and where everyone is going, including the guys on offense. Coach Camp spoke of Bates’ cerebral playing nature and Bates basically confirmed he’s smart enough for the challenge of learning a different defensive scheme while also being able to share his wisdom with younger players.
“As a safety, it’s very important you understand the details,” Bates said. “That’s what makes defenses special. I’m happy to share my knowledge, my experiences with the young guys in the locker room.”
One of those younger players Jacksonville hopes to benefit from Bates’ wisdom is Travis Hunter, who is now a locker mate with Bates. It might not be long before those two take the field together, potentially as early as Sunday in Nashville.
Sleep or not, the Wake Forest product wants to play and wants to win. Good luck to Campanile and Coen on trying to stop him from reaching that.
“I’m ready. I’m ready for sure,” Bates said.
