The Atlanta Falcons are headed into the regular season with high hopes of turning things around as a franchise following a coaching change which could alter the way they go about things.

Moving through the first camp of the Kevin Stefanski era, fans are evaluating everything; from the way drills are being ran to who is stepping up in some very intense position battles. As is always the case though, who is not practicing is making as many headlines as who is, and one of those sitting out is one of the best players on the team.

Superstar safety Jessie Bates III has been seen on the field but without pads on, and while Stefanski has said he's dealing with a minor back issue, some have speculated on whether or not he is also looking for a new deal. Entering the final season of his 4-year, $64 million contract he signed back before the 2023 season, Bates is set to hit the open market again after the season.

As critical as he is though, another huge deal for a player who will turn 30 after this season may not be in the cards. If Atlanta isn't going to extend Bates and they aren't going to contend for a Super Bowl this season, the question has to be asked: would they actually consider trading him away?

It should be noted that Stefanski's new regime has made it a point to lock up guys who are a key piece of the culture this offseason like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Matthew Bergeron. When it comes to the defense, Bates is certainly that and more, but the team must ask itself whether or not his best football is ahead of him at this point.

Nobody questions the initial deal he signed and his play in Atlanta, but this is a league determined by what a player can do tomorrow, not what he did yesterday or can do today.

Trading him would be a wildly unpopular move for the fanbase, but it would hardly be the most shocking development in the world of preseason deals. In an ideal world, both sides can come to an agreement that works for all and Bates can retire with the Falcons like he's said he wants to.

This is a business though, and fans must prepare themselves for the possibility that big decisions have to be made.

It's a situation worth monitoring over the coming weeks as the season fast approaches.