Jaguars, Saints Make Surprise Trade After Jessie Bates Deal, New NFL Rumors Reveal

The Jacksonville Jaguars are having a busy Monday.

Not long after reportedly trading for safety Jessie Bates, the Jags acquired defensive tackle Davon Godchaux from the New Orleans Saints, per multiple reports:

Godchaux, 31, has played for the Miami Dolphins (2017-20), New England Patriots (2021-24), Saints (2025-26) and now the Jaguars in his career, registering 487 career tackles, 5.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 27 quarterback hits.

This season he's posted 15 tackles in eight games (five starts). The stats aren't much, but he'll give the Jaguars another piece to help against the run.

Per Spotrac, the Saints will take on some dead cap as part of the deal, but nothing prohibitive:

The Jaguars are clearly trying to gear up for a Super Bowl run, which makes sense given the team's 6-2 start to the season. The defense has been excellent, giving up just 15.1 points per game (second-best in the NFL) and only 89.3 yards per game on the ground (fifth).

Adding Bates will help bolster a pass defense that has been a bit more vulnerable and should provide more playmaking, though giving up second- and fifth-round picks to land him wasn't cheap:

As for the Saints, the team is 3-5 and remains in something of a rebuild. Monday's move will provide another opportunity to further evaluate some younger players on the defensive line.

Overall it was a trade that made plenty of sense for both sides, though it won't move the needle like some of the prospective deals that could happen before Tuesday's trade deadline.