 Welcome, Jesse Bates to the show. Rhett Lewis, Jim Trotter here with you. Jesse, first off, congratulations. I've been one of the best safeties in the league for a long time now, spending that first five years of your career in Cincinnati. Now you get this new beginning in Atlanta. What ultimately attracted you to the Falcons? Yeah, man, I think that this division, man, is up in the air. It's a lot of similar, you know, similar situation that I was in going into year four with Cincinnati, you know, with, like I said, a division that, you know, a lot of teams are trying to figure out who their identity is. And I think that here in Atlanta that coach has already established that and I'm excited to continue to build on that and try to elevate that as much as I can and come in here and do whatever I can to elevate this team, elevate this city and build bonds and memories that'll last me a lifetime. Jesse, first off, congratulations, man. I'm happy for you and your success. I wanted to ask you, take us through what it's like to be a free agent, a player who is one of the top at his position at a position of need that's tough to fill around the league. Is there anxiousness, nervousness, a level of expectation? What is that moment like or this period like for a player such as yourself? Yeah, man, it's something, a day, I think that, you know, a lot of people pray for, a lot of people dream for this day to come. And I don't think a lot of people would think about all the anxiety and all the butterflies that also come with it. Yeah, I had so many, I took a nap before I got my phone call. So that'll be my advice to all the other free agents that's still on the board. Just stay at peace, man. Just make sure you know who you are as a player, no matter what the situation, what the end result is. Just know that every year is a contract year in this league. You look around, you see people get traded every day. You see guys get released, all the above. And I think the mindset is, you know, take it day by day and just be you. Jesse, was Atlanta all the way for you? Was there ever a shot at going back to Cincinnati? What were your thoughts on how this all played out? Yeah, obviously, you know, Cincinnati is a place that, you know, made my dream come true in 2018. You know, built tons and tons of relationships and bonds. You know, with the people there in Cincinnati. So yeah, it was very tough being able to up and leave that city because I know how much they've done for me. But I'm very excited for the future with the Falcons being able to, you know, give me what, not give me because I earned it because I think a lot of people tend to say, you know, this guy has been given this contract, but no, there's a lot of, you know, sacrifice and a lot of time, time away from family, loved ones that you miss out on to make this dream come true. But yeah, I will say that it's just a blessing, like I said, to make it to this point and I'm not done. I feel like I haven't played my best ball. So I'm just excited for the future and continue to be the best Jesse Bates III. To that point, Jesse, what are the Falcons getting in Jesse Bates III? Yeah, like I said in the interview earlier today, you're gonna get someone that's the same guy every day, whether that's the guy that's on the field in between the lines, whether that's the guy who shakes the cafeteria ladies hand, I'll be the same guy every day for this organization, for this community. So yeah. What are they getting on the field? I think, you know, you got someone that has experienced, you know, I like to say I'm freshly 26 because these days, you know, your age is very important. And I think that I've been able to experience all of it. I've been able to experience the bad, my first, you know, three years in Cincinnati, but being the same guy every day throughout that bad period and then transitioning over to the good side of it. You know, being able to have a leader in the locker room that, you know, no matter what, it's gonna be there and keep people calm and poise on the field to, you know, make plays and eventually win football games here in Atlanta. Jesse, you mentioned your first couple of years in Cincinnati, we're met with some struggles and frustration as you tried to work through that and get that team to the point where they are now where you're leaving and now going to Atlanta, a franchise very much looking to have that kind of Bengals type renaissance. Is that something you feel like is, you know, a reason why you are there in Atlanta and something that is attainable in the near term? Absolutely. I think it's a realistic goal. I think that not just the people in this locker room know that, I think know the people in the same division know that as well, but just excited to continue to build off that and being in such a great city like Atlanta, the people, I know what type of people are here and it's similar to Cincinnati in an instance, as far as the people and the community around here. So, like I said, I'm very excited to be a part of something special again, you know, whether that takes a year or whether it takes two. Like I said, it's going to be a fun ride. Well, Jesse, congrats once again. Wish you all the best now in your new destination as one of the newest Atlanta Falcons. Thanks again, bud.