Jets should consider trading for All-Pro safety to pair with Minkah Fitzpatrick

The New York Jets set out to overhaul their defense this offseason, and they left no stone unturned when it came to making impactful additions.

Their defensive front should be much improved in 2026, with the additions of pass rushers like No. 2 overall pick David Bailey and Joseph Ossai. On the interior of their defensive line, T'Vondre Sweat and David Onyemata give the Jets some more size up front.

They have an adult at linebacker, with Demario Davis taking over as the captain of the defense, and they also made a meaningful addition at safety with Minkah Fitzpatrick.

But despite the addition of Fitzpatrick, safety remains a relatively thin position, and the Jets may need some more help when it comes to generating turnovers.

Jets trade idea lands Falcons safety Jessie Bates

If the Jets really want to make sure their defense has no holes heading into 2026, it would benefit them to add another safety, especially if Fitzpatrick intends to play some nickel cornerback as he mentioned earlier in the offseason.

With Fitzpatrick working closer to the line of scrimmage in certain situations, New York could really use a player of Jessie Bates' caliber. The current Atlanta Falcons star is entering the last year of his contract, and the Jets have the cap space to absorb his contract.

Bates is a three-time second-team All-Pro and one-time Pro Bowler, hauling in 27 interceptions over his eight-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals and Falcons.

The 28-year-old has one year remaining on his current contract and carries a cap hit of $24.77 million.

It would be an aggressive move for a Jets team that isn't necessarily competing for a championship this season, but is certainly trying its best to win, entering a year where head coach Aaron Glenn has to at least be competitive.

Bates would certainly help in that department and would bring a certain level of playmaking that the Jets don't currently have, even with Fitzpatrick manning the back end.

Do the Jets really want to bank on one of Malachi Moore, Andre Cisco, or Dane Belton as one of their starting safeties? The answer is probably no.

If Atlanta is willing to flip Bates for a 2027 Day 3 draft pick, a trade made be worth it for the Jets.

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