The Julio Jones saga has reached a conclusion. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Falcons have agreed to trade Jones to the Titans in exchange for a 2022 second-round pick (Twitter link). Atlanta will also get the Titans’ fourth-round pick in 2023, though it will need to send its 2023 sixth-round choice to Tennessee. Both clubs subsequently announced the trade.
Once it became clear that Jones was going to be dealt, Tennessee always seemed like one of the most logical landing spots. The club lost WR Corey Davis and TE Jonnu Smith in free agency, and while the Titans’ offense will continue to flow through running back Derrick Henry, it seemed imperative for GM Jon Robinson to add another pass catcher.
Now, Jones will team with A.J. Brown to form a potentially dynamic 1-2 punch at the wide receiver position. And the Titans will not have to give up a ton to make that a reality. Though the Falcons were said to have an offer in hand that included a first-round pick, subsequent reports expressed skepticism that Atlanta would be able to get that type of compensation unless the hypothetical first-rounder was part of a pick-swap, similar to the return that the Ravens received from the Chiefs in the Orlando Brown Jr. trade.
Jones’ age (32) and sizable contract limited the Falcons’ leverage, as did the fact that Atlanta’s dire cap situation — the club had $446K in cap space before the trade and has yet to sign its draft picks — essentially compelled the team to rid itself of Jones’ salary. Plus, the seven-time Pro Bowler is coming off an injury-marred 2020 campaign in which he appeared in only nine games.
However, the Falcons were able to convince the Titans to assume the entirety of Jones’ contract. As Albert Breer of SI.com tweets, Atlanta is not absorbing any of Jones’ $15.3MM base salary for 2021, so Robinson will have some work to do to get Jones on the books. That could include a new contract for the newest Titan, which was rumored as a possibility last week. Indeed, Paul Kuharsky of PaulKuharsky.com reports that Jones and the Titans are presently discussing contract alterations (Twitter link).
Robinson could also approach quarterback Ryan Tannehill about a restructure. We heard just two days ago that Tannehill and the team had not discussed such a possibility, but it seems that the QB would be receptive to a reworked contract that converts some of his base salary into a signing bonus, especially since it would help facilitate Jones’ arrival.
Assuming he’s fully healthy, Jones should fit nicely into the Titans’ play-action-heavy offense. As Brown’s primary foil, he could thrive on in-breaking routes, and he still has enough straight-line speed to keep defenses honest. His presence makes Tennessee’s aerial attack a formidable one, though the club will have to demonstrate a marked improvement on the defensive side of the ball to have a legitimate chance at a title.
For the Falcons, this move represents the end of an era. One of the greatest receivers of his generation, Jones now holds franchise records in receptions (848) and receiving yards (12,896), and his 60 receiving TDs trail only Roddy White‘s 63. Those receiving yards currently rank 20th on the NFL’s all-time list, but Jones could catapult into the top-5 with several solid seasons in Tennessee.
Atlanta opted against drafting a successor for aging QB Matt Ryan, instead using its No. 4 selection on Florida TE Kyle Pitts, presumably in the hopes of making one final run at glory with Ryan under center. Between Pitts and Calvin Ridley, Ryan will still have several quality receiving options at his disposal, but losing Jones will put a major damper on any hopes the Falcons had for competing in 2021.
Dianna Russini of ESPN.com first reported that the Falcons and Titans were expected to finalize a trade that would send Jones to Tennessee within the next 24-48 hours (Twitter link). Adam Schefter of ESPN.com added (via Twitter) that the two clubs were still discussing whether the trade package would include a second- and fifth-rounder going back to Atlanta, or if the Falcons would get a second-rounder and swap other picks with the Titans.
a second- and fifth-rounder going back to Atlanta
Why didn’t other teams offer more?
The Browns could have used Jones, now that I am thinking about it.
Bc he’s an injury prone, past his prime and wants a huge payday from his new team
For starters….
He was hurt last year but not really before that. Platted 15 or 16 games before that. The real reason was salary cap space.
toddkirchenberg You’re right that the injury prone part is a stretch, but his other 2 points about Julio still stand. I’m sure he can still be good if this wasn’t the start of health issues, but most likely his days as an elite WR are over and he’s starting to decline.
The fact that this was the best offer for him shows actual NFL GM’s think so too. Atlanta already got all the years of prime Julio.
The word “prone” isn’t right….but he’s coming off an injury filled season is what I should have typed. That always brings questions/doubts from some.
Prone was actually more correct than others make it out to be. Though he put up good stats he missed parts of many games and played injured frequently. To me, that just shows what a beast he was, but he has had nagging injuries for the last five years (ankle, hamstring, shoulder). 2018 was really the only season since 2016 that he wasn’t limited by some injury.
So, in essence, you are more correct than you believe. He is a professional who tries to go every single week, but the injuries have been there. It won’t show up as ‘games missed’ but he has been slowed by injuries frequently.
He is basically a possession receiver these days and despite his nonsense about the deep ball, almost every deep ball Ryan had tried to throw to him over the last few years Julio just couldn’t catch up to like he had previously. He used to seem to be able to hit another gear and get to balls that seemed so uncatchable. He just doesn’t have that these days.
So him and Odell can sit on the bench injured? Lots of money tied into injury prone WR if that move was made
2nd and a 4th. Atlanta sends Jones and a 6th. They likely updated this after you posted.
Cleveland has Odell and Landry. Julio would over crowd the room. This ain’t Madden
Because his best days are long behind him.
Because of the smaller cap for ’21 a lot of teams just don’t have the cap space to allow that size of a contract, even if they wanted him. Plus, he wants a new deal? Some are saying on here that the injury thing has been over played but at his age, it’s a real concern. Personally, I hope for the Titan’s sake he does well. If healthy, it could get them the division.
I figure you’re splitting the difference by calling the swap of a 4th rounder and a 6th rounder a 5th rounder… Anyway, the reason Atlanta agreed to take less than a first rounder was that Tennessee was willing to absorb the rest of the contract.
Lol, I thought he wanted to go to a contender? Sucks for him.
Indy might contend Jacksonville isn’t ready and Houston well you know
How are the Titans not a contender? Playoffs three out of the last four years, an AFC Championship appearance, division title last year. What am I missing here? They’re a playoff team.
He must be a Colts fan. They’re the Titans only competition.
Being a contender doesn’t mean riding a crap schedule to a first round azwhoopin. Better hope Henry stays healthy.
With AJ Brown, Derrick Henry, and Julio Jones the Titans are potentially the best offense in the NFL, even with Ryan Tannehill who has been far better in Tennessee than he ever was in Miami. Tanney was considered a bust by many with the Fish, but now he looks like a legit franchise QB.
They’re almost certainly a playoff team in that division. Julio makes them a legit threat.
Wait HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE THE DAILY JULIO UPDATE IS A TRADE?
This is a nice strong move for Titans. Yes Julio is 32, but he has great talent and Titans add him to a strong offense with Henry, Brown
He was hurt last year but look at the years before that. Before last year he missed 4 games in 5byears. That is not injury prone. He was hurt last year
If Julio flops, it’s gonna be hard to the GM to explain that he whiffed on Clowney, the OT 1st rounder last year, & JJ.
Besides, I thought it was Tenn’s pass rush that was the real problem last year.
I think the people who are calling him injury prone are confusing that with he’s 32 and coming off a season with an injury. He’s not injury prone but he is being traded at his lowest value, it was a big ask for a team to take on a 32 year old coming off an injury who makes that much money. It’s a huge risk but it’s also a huge potential gain if he returns to pre injury form.
Falcons were smart not to take the 1st round offer they insisted they had. 2 is better than 1
Seriously. Where are those couple posters who guaranteed it’d take AT LEAST a 1st, or —LOL — 2 seconds to make a trade happen.
Bueller? Bueller?
Do these posters exist? I feel like I was the strongest proponent of them getting a first (late round first) but even my prediction said the Falcons would probably need to add something like a 4th to sweeten the deal.
They got a second and a fourth. Not too far off from a first. Titans got good value.
Wouldn’t this have solved the Green Bay issue? Wouldn’t a shiny new receiver have made Rodgers happy? Why didn’t they acquire him????
Maybe. Doubtful. Money.
Nothing about Jones is new or shiny. Career in fade.
Pack are strapped not sure how they would make it work.
I’m just glad that “Shefty” didn’t break the story!
Titans might as well go all in and try to acquire Aaron Rodgers. They have the draft picks and Tannehill to do so in the event GB wants a QB in return
Rodgers, Henry, Brown, Jones would rival what they have out in KC
I don’t really see the point in shaking the team up that much. Their offense was not their problem last season, the defense was. They scored the 4th most points in football (only 18 points behind the league-leading Packers) and now they’ve added Jones. If they’re going to swing another trade at this point, they should target defense, imo.
Agreed. It’s the defense, specifically lack of a pass rush that killed em last season. They don’t need Rodgers to make that O go. Tannehill is solid and a serious run game. A healthy Jones will be icing.
With apologies to Mr. Paul Simon…..
NEWLY UPDATED !!!!!!
The Atlanta GM rolled out of bed
And ran to the team office
When the coach found out he began to shout
And he started the investigation
It’s against the NFL law
It was against the NFL law
What the GM saw
It was against the law
The media looked down and spits out some sound
Every time Julio Jones name gets mentioned
The Titan’s team owner said, “Oy, if I get that wideout
I’m gonna stick him in the starting line-up”
Well I’m on my way to the AFC
I don’t know where I’m going to live
I’m on my way to a new team
I’m taking my time
But I don’t know where I fit in
Goodbye to Atlanta, the gem of Georgia
Seein’ me and Julio
Down by the Tennessee Titans
Seein’ me and Julio
Down by the Nashville stadium
Whoa, in a couple days they come and take me away
But the press let the story leak
And when the radical agent
Come to get me released
We was all on the cover of Sports Illustrated
And I’m on my way to the AFC
I don’t know where I’m going to live
I’m on my way to my new team
I’m taking my time
But I don’t know where I’m livin’
Goodbye to Atlanta, the gem of Georgia
Seein’ me and Julio
Down by the Tennessee Titans practice field
Seein’ me and Julio
Down by the City of Nashville
Seein’ me and Julio
Down by the Nissan Stadium
Sorry, but I’m not familiar enough with his music to know what song that is.
But you obviously spent a lot of time making the alternative lyrics, good job.
It’s ‘Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard’. Youtube it, you probably know it.
Thanks WallyWood !!
With all the “Julio” posts, it just popped into my head.
Damn nentwigs, that was…that was an effort there.
Roddy White, there’s a name from the past.
If you had asked me “who has more career TD’s, Julio Jones or Roddy White?” I would have definitely answered wrong and wondered why you were even bothering to ask.
Roddy was underrated
This isn’t true. Chiefs will get him. We will have the best offense in the league. I’m not in denial you are.
Ah, how does that crow your eating taste?
Chiefs don’t have Henry, although Mahomes is definitely better than Tannehill and Travis Kelce is way better than any TE on the Titans roster. Obviously the Chiefs offense has more firepower, but the Titans will be far more balanced.
That feels like such a light return for Julio. Tennessee will be good, so the 2nd will be late, bordering on a 3rd.
DeCosta couldn’t top this?
In the end it was the result everyone knew would happen. Imagine believing the fake leak ATL had a 1st on the table for Julio.
Big gamble taking on that contract……But may well payoff bigtime if he stays healthy.
This is about what I personally expected, given Jones’ salary and Green Bay’s reluctance to address the WR position making them not serious suitors. I don’t think anyone believed the first round pick nonsense. If Jones had a lower cap hit, then certainly, but given the time of the football year it is, Jones’ salary, and the Falcons’ desperation to drop his cap hit, I think a second is the highest level pick they realistically could have gotten.
Packers should’ve been all in on Jones
The Titans won’t win their division and probably won’t make the playoffs with the team constructed the way it is. Welcome to Atlanta part 2 Julio.
Yep it is –
I guess we’ll agree to disagree on that one. They’ve been pretty successful as of late and even though they lost a few pieces, they’ve picked some up as well.
The only threat to Tennessee in the AFC South is Indy and they’ve had just 2 winning seasons in the last 6 years. Titans will be heavy favorites in the AFCS.
Wow….with the Titans nearly certain to be a playoff caliber team, those are going to be some low picks in the second and fourth round. They’ll probably end up being nearly equivalent to early 3rd and 5th round picks. Plus they have to wait until 2022 and 2023 to get them, and give up a pick themselves which very well may be at the beginning of round 6? I am quite surprised that other teams weren’t willing/able to top that offer
It’s the salary. If the salary wasn’t what it was, Atlanta very likely could have gotten more. But aside from the hit itself being huge, they were also desperate on their end to alleviate it. The combination of the price itself and Atlanta’s not really having any choice made the compensation lower.I mean, Tennessee is taking on all of it. The Falcons are not absorbing any at all, which is an important part (the most important) of this trade.