Earlier today, FS1 host Shannon Sharpe called up Julio Jones and asked him about his status in Atlanta. The Falcons wide receiver, who might not have known that he was on air, told Sharpe that he’s “out of there” (Twitter link). 
Sharpe also asked Jones if he would be interested in going to Dallas, since he was recently spotted in Cowboys gear. To that, Jones said, “I ain’t going to Dallas, I never thought of going to Dallas.” Then, sometime after that, Sharpe informed Jones that he was live on national television.
Jones requested a trade a few months ago, sources confirmed to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). The Falcons subsequently agreed to listen to offers. As it stands, the asking price is a first-round pick (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter). So far, they haven’t gotten an offer to their liking and execs around the NFL league doubt they’ll get it, Schefter hears.
Jones’ contract has three years to go. This year, he’ll earn a guaranteed $15.3MM. Beyond that, he’s set to make $15.5MM in 2022, with a couple million already locked in, followed by another $11.5MM in 2023. Even though Jones is a perennial All-Pro, that’s a lot of coin for a 32-year-old coming off of a partial season.
The Falcons could net more in the way of draft compensation by eating a portion of Jones’ deal. Still, even if they eat the lion’s share, they might not be able to get a Round 1 pick for the veteran. Meanwhile, they’ve got a numbers crunch of their own to deal with, so they can’t necessarily afford to pay out the bulk of the contract.
That’s bush league if they didn’t tell him he was on-air prior to those questions. That show is garbage anyway. All they do is make up dumb nicknames and argue. But the way this sounds, they set Julio up.
Obviously I’m in the minority here but I think a person either has integrity or they don’t. It shouldn’t matter if your speaking on the record or not.
Having integrity is being honest but also knowing when to not make the organization you’ve spent your whole career with look bad. Julio also wouldn’t have said this if he knew because if he wants to leave like it seems, saying this publicly doesn’t help his trade value.
Integrity is knowing when to say something, not always saying what’s on your mind even if it’s true. Shannon Sharpe not letting him know he was on national television is the epitome of no integrity.
To me integrity is integrity. You don’t concern yourself whether or not it creates a favorable spin or not. You speak what you believe and accept the consequences.
This actually probably forces a trade sooner so in a way it helps his trade value, Atlanta ain’t gettin nothing great for him, these comments will force them to that assumption sooner
So you all tell your wives they look fat and ugly, because that’s integrity, honesty no matter what.
Lol you beat me to it! Exactly though.
Integrity has an actual definition, lol, you don’t get to just make up what you think it means. What you’re referring to is blunt honesty. That’s not integrity. Telling a heavy woman she’s fat as hell, for example, is incredibly honest, but is the exact opposite of integrity.
What integrity have to do with what Jones said? He didn’t say that he hated Atlanta all these years. He didn’t even say that he wanted out. He’s not dishonoring his contract, he’s being traded. If Jones said that he’d sabotage his team, then that’d be different. Atlanta is trading Jones, he’s not refusing to work for no reason at all or dishonoring the terms of his deal for more money.
That’s why if you’re a smart player you avoid speaking to the media as much as possible. They are just vultures worried about their lame talk show’s ratings, being the first to break a story, or provoking a juicy quote/sound bite as their headline.
Julio should’ve never spoke so openly about it without even trying to check with Sharpe if they were on air.
I know the Pats are trending down without their franchise quarterback, but this is exactly why Belichick coached his players this way all these years. If you Never give anyone bulletin board material, and keep everything in house, it’s easier for the entire team to just focus on the football game and ignore what the crows are squawking about.
To the Pats!
link to pantherswire.usatoday.com
lmao! my guy really called out the Cowboys like that.
lmao, I’m now a Julio Jones fan!
Atlanta must be asking for more than a first round pick, otherwise Jones would already be on someone else’s team. There are at least a half dozen teams with the cap space to take on his remaining contract and a bird in hand is always better than a bird in the bush.
I don’t think they’ll get a 1st for him. He’s expensive, coming off an inquiry, and the Falcons have no leverage.
Wrong. Teams value firsts like gold and especially in 2022 when most execs believe it’s the strongest draft in years.
The Falcons ain’t getting a first.
Bills gave up a first for Diggs. Pats gave up a first for Brandin Cooks. The Rams traded a first for Brandin Cooks. Dallas traded a first for Amani Cooper. OBJ, in a large deal, was the centerpiece of a trade netting the Giants a first rounder and the previous year’s first rounder (Peppers, so essentially this was two first rounders).
Jones, even with his age and injury, is as good or better than all of them.
Heck, Sam Bradford was traded for a first only a few years ago. Jones should be able to net a mid- to late-round first.
It’s not last June 1st, that’s why Jones is still in Atlanta. It doesn’t have much to do with compensation at the current moment.
Lol I wouldn’t want to live in Georgia either and that’s a lot coming from a Californian. Good luck young blood get what you deserve
Not enough turds on the sidewalk in GA for your liking?
tbh you live in the worst state in the nation
No doubt, Californians pay that state 1 month of their earnings a year in income tax just to wake up there…in traffic…paying $1 more in gas and w/ the nation’s highest sales tax.
Dude, I love Del Taco too, but seriously. I’m surprised that state hasn’t cracked in half yet.
California has the 5th largest economy in the world. This country would take a serious hit if California were going. California is the most important state in the country
That’s not necessarily true. California calculates their economy based off of GDP of companies based there, as opposed to what is actually produced there.
Besides, CA would dry up if they left the union. They can’t survive without water they get from other states.
California hasn’t ‘cracked in half’ yet because it’s still one of the most successful states in the entire country. The states that should be worried about cracking in half are all of the red states that live off of the federal assistance that states like California provide.
Californians should stay in California
This is a silly post and this is a silly argument.
Please be a Jet for a pair of 2nds and we’ll take on the cash.
This seems like another example of an NFL team’s upper management being grossly out of touch with their players. If Julio Jones requested a trade months ago, then their entire off-season plan becomes questionable. These execs continue to operate as though players have no leverage in spite of evidence to the contrary. I feel bad for the Falcons fans. The start of the new administration is not encouraging so far.
The reason the Organization is where it is is because the pile of garbage the new administration inherited
Shannon Sharpe sure didn’t do his own credibility/reputation any favors by doing this. I’d be willing to bet he’s going to lose a few future interviews for pulling this crap…hope he thinks it was worth it. Some players won’t do interviews with reporters they don’t respect or trust. You just made your own bed, Shannon.
No chance Julio didn’t know he was on the air. That whole thing was staged. Sharpe doesn’t put Julio in that situation without his knowledge as it would ruin his reputation as a show host. Julio threw him a bone, hoping it might also speed up the trade. Why do we fall for this stuff?
That seems like it should be true, but we’ve seen more mindboggingly stupid decisions from “journalists” on air. You never really know.
I can’t disagree with that.
Shannon Sharpe is a pos
Packers could do the trade IF they extend A few high cap players. Like Rodgers.
As a New Yorker that moved to California I was always intrigued about the disdain people from other states had towards California.
This, by no means covers ALL of those criticisms, but I tend to believe it’s mostly just plain jealousy. As in… ‘look at all those Californians acting all carefree and athletic and healthy. If they were REAL Americans, they would be miserable like the rest of us’.
I do believe that every state has it’s marvels and bright spots that one can point to and brag about as well as it’s ugliness as well.
California is no different.
It may not be the best or even top 15 state in the nation.
But I’ll say a few things:
I don’t think I’ve been ‘bored’ a single day since I’ve lived here.
I constantly am in awe of some of the beauty in this state. (mostly coastal related… beaches, ocean, women etc).
And I enjoy it pretty much 360 days a year here whereas I found myself enduring 6 months or more of the year just to enjoy the other half of the year in previous places I lived.
I’m good with California as home.
The rest of the states are nice places to visit.