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Just One Hour After Falcons Clear the Way, Four-Time Pro Bowler Signals Stunning Desire to Join Broncos — Willing to Take Rookie-Level Pay for a Shot at His First Ring

Denver, Colorado — The NFL offseason was jolted by a stunning development when, just one hour after the Atlanta Falcons officially cleared the way for Jessie Bates III, the four-time Pro Bowl safety made it known that he is targeting the Denver Broncos as the ideal destination for the final chapter of his career.

League sources say Bates — long regarded as one of the NFL’s most complete defensive backs — is not chasing another lucrative contract. Instead, the 29-year-old veteran is focused on legacy, believing Denver offers his best opportunity to finally capture the Super Bowl ring that has eluded him throughout an otherwise elite career.

“I’ve experienced nearly everything in this league, with the only thing missing being a championship, and at this stage I’m no longer chasing money — I’m looking for an ending worthy of the years I’ve put in.”

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That mindset has turned heads across the league. Bates is reportedly willing to accept a deal at or near rookie-level pay if it means joining a Broncos roster that is steadily positioning itself as a legitimate championship contender. With a young core, renewed organizational direction, and a defense emphasizing speed, discipline, and accountability, Denver has become an increasingly attractive landing spot for veterans seeking one last title run.

Bates’ interest is especially notable given his résumé: four Pro Bowl selections, a reputation as a field general in the secondary, and a proven leader capable of elevating a defense almost overnight. Yet despite productive stints with the Bengals and Falcons, a Super Bowl ring has remained just out of reach.

For the Broncos, the potential addition would be more than a roster upgrade — it would be a statement. Bringing in a player of Bates’ caliber, motivated purely by championship ambition, would underscore Denver’s shift from transition to true contention.

Nothing is official yet. But the message is clear and unmistakable.

Jessie Bates III isn’t looking for a payday.
He’s looking for a finish — and he believes Denver might be where that story finally ends the right way.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.