It might not have been intentional, but Julio Jones told the world that he’s basically done with the Falcons. Meanwhile, head coach Arthur Smith is keeping mum on the matter. 
[RELATED: Julio Jones Says “I’m Out Of There”]
“[Players] should speak for themselves,” Smith said (Twitter link via Zach Klein of WSB). “I’m not going to comment, it doesn’t change anything for us. We understand what our plan is moving forward. We have multiple private conversations with our players and those are conversations that are going to stay private on my end.”
Apparently, those conversations have been going on for some time. Jones requested a trade a few months ago and the Falcons agreed to listen. Reportedly, they want a first-rounder for the multiple-time Pro Bowler, but they’ve had no takers so far. Jones has been one of the game’s most dominant wide receivers for years. But, at the age of 32, few teams want to cough up that kind of draft capital and pay out the remainder of his contract.
That’s not to say that the Falcons haven’t gotten some decent offers. Before the draft, the Falcons had the opportunity to trade Jones, and shed his contract, for a second-round pick (via PFT). Now, most of the potential suitors have addressed their needs, which means even longer odds of the Falcons securing the first-round pick they want.
and it’s a wonder why Atlanta has never won a Super Bowl?
What’s the significance between no ‘chips and Jones?
28-3…never forget!
Considering Hopkins was traded for (only) a second rounder, I say good luck with that first rounder.
That’s because that trade was a terrible one and it lead to BoB eventually getting fired. I don’t think you can set the market based on Bill O’Brien getting fleeced.
Diggs, Brandin Cooks (twice), Amari Cooper, and OBJ have landed first rounders recently (OBJ essentially two first rounders if you count Peppers). Jones should be able to net a mid- to late-first rounder. Falcons could always throw in a 5th or something if it was necessary.
You’re implying that because BoB got fleeced that doesn’t set a precedent? Ok…
You’re comparing a 32 year old, oft-injured with a top 10 salary to a bunch of mid-20 something year olds who were going into their primes, not the back end of their career. Apples and oranges.
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. BoB got fleeced and this was widely recognized even at the time. If the Packers got fleeced and traded Aaron Rodgers for a 7th rounder, do you honestly think that would reset the market so that elite QBs were now worth 7th rounders? Use your head.
And Jones has been better than literally all of those WRs. I don’t care about injuries when this guy puts up better numbers than all of them even when hurt.
Diggs was coming off a season where he had 63 catches and six TDs in 15 games and netted a first rounder. Cooper was about the same. Ditto on Cooks both times. OBJ was coming off of serious injuries and got essentially two first rounders. If the Falcons don’t get a good deal, they just won’t trade him.
It obviously did NOT set a precedent. If it did, then the Vikings would’ve only been able to get back a 2nd for Diggs.
Jones is 32. Beckham was 26 or 27
Disgruntled stars towards the latter part of their career dont command major capital.
Randy Moss and Terrell Owens are favorable Comps to Julio. What did they fetch in the trade market?
Cincinnati couldn’t give away AJ Green. Another fair comp.
Great player, lots of injuries but usually plays through them.
Constant whiner about wanting to be paid. Wouldn’t take him for a 6th
People clearly don’t understand the situation. If they trade him they still take a cap hit. They will trade him once that cap hit gets split between this and next year which I believe is in June. Also people should hating on sharpe for what he did to Jones. He was keeping quiet publicly and then was put on live tv without his knowledge.
That whole thing was staged. Jones knew exactly what was going on.
They could have traded him anytime after May 3, which for all intents and purposes is June 1st for paperwork purposes.
Not sure the timing of this was planned or whatever is being alluded to here.
Not sure why Jones is burning bridges, as it’s no sure thing that he ends up on a team better than Atlanta. For instance, Detroit’s wide receiver corps is a complete disaster, thus he could end up catching balls from Jared Goff/Tim Boyle.
The egos of football players is getting really old.