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

Just one hour after the Atlanta Falcons officially cleared a path by ending his contract, the NFL landscape shifted in dramatic fashion. Jessie Bates III, one of the league’s most respected safeties and a four-time Pro Bowl selection, publicly signaled his desire to join the Green Bay Packers — a move driven not by money, but by legacy.

League sources say Bates moved quickly once his future in Atlanta became clear. After seasons of elite production with the Cincinnati Bengals and later the Falcons, the veteran defensive back made it known that Green Bay represents his preferred destination — a team he believes can finally deliver the one accomplishment missing from his résumé: a Super Bowl ring.

What stunned executives around the league wasn’t just the destination, but the sacrifice Bates is reportedly willing to make. According to multiple insiders, the 28-year-old safety is open to signing a contract close to rookie-level pay if that’s what it takes to chase a championship and secure the ending he feels his career deserves.
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Bates’ credentials are undeniable. A four-time Pro Bowler (2020, 2022, 2023, 2025), he has long been regarded as one of the NFL’s premier safeties, combining elite coverage instincts with physical tackling and ball-hawking ability. Over the years, he has routinely ranked among league leaders in interceptions and passes defended, while earning praise for his football IQ and calm leadership on the back end.

Despite that individual success, the ultimate prize has remained elusive. Bates reached football’s biggest stage with Cincinnati, only to fall short in Super Bowl LVI. Since then, he has continued to perform at a high level, but team results — including Atlanta’s early playoff elimination in 2025 — have reinforced a familiar reality: greatness doesn’t always guarantee a ring.

Now healthy and fully active after only minor in-season ailments, Bates believes the timing is right. The Packers’ defensive identity, championship pedigree, and competitive window present what he views as a rare opportunity — a place where his experience and versatility could immediately elevate a contender.

For Green Bay, the idea of adding a battle-tested, Pro Bowl-caliber safety willing to put legacy ahead of salary is tantalizing. For Bates, it’s about how his career will be remembered.

He has the accolades.
He has the respect.

What he wants now is the ring — and if that means betting on himself one last time, Jessie Bates III appears ready to do exactly that.

 

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$70 Million? “Keep It.” — Bears Legend With Two Super Bowl Rings Shocks NFL By Turning Down Chiefs And Rams, Expresses Desire For Lifelong Re-Sign With Super Bowl Promise To Chicago
Chicago, Illinois – December 30, 2025 In an NFL where massive dollar figures often dictate destiny, Eric Bieniemy has just delivered a moment that runs completely against market logic. According to multiple league sources, the Chicago Bears coach flatly rejected offers totaling as much as $70 million from the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Rams, a decision that left the rest of the NFL stunned. Bieniemy is no stranger to the brightest lights. During his tenure as offensive coordinator in Kansas City, he was a central figure in the Chiefs’ dynasty years, helping deliver two Super Bowl championships and shaping one of the most influential offenses of the modern era. The Chiefs’ interest in bringing him back to revive their offensive identity was understandable. The Rams, meanwhile, viewed Bieniemy as the final piece to push their roster back into immediate championship contention. Yet Bieniemy chose Chicago. “Chicago isn’t just where I work — it’s where my heart belongs,” Bieniemy said. “This city and this locker room have shaped who I am, teaching me how to lead through trust, accountability, and sacrifice. And if there ever comes a day when I close out my career, I want to do it as part of the Chicago Bears — honoring the promise I made the moment I first walked in here, and never betraying that belief.” The 2025 season has made it clear why the Bears see Bieniemy as a foundational piece. Under his guidance, Chicago’s run game became one of the team’s few consistent strengths, restoring stability and identity to a roster still navigating a rebuild. More importantly, Bieniemy has fostered genuine buy-in inside the locker room — something the Bears have sorely lacked in recent years. According to internal sources, Bieniemy is not chasing a record-setting contract. What he wants instead is a real commitment from the Bears: smart investment, patience with the process, and a long-term vision built on a winning culture rather than shortcuts. In return, he is willing to sign a symbolic, career-long agreement with Chicago — provided the organization shares the same Super Bowl ambition. In a league where loyalty is becoming increasingly rare, Eric Bieniemy’s decision sends a powerful message. Not everything can be bought with money. And for the Chicago Bears, that message carries weight far beyond any contract figure — a belief that the road back to the top must be built on commitment, identity, and people willing to say “no” to $70 million in pursuit of something greater.