Julio Jones is headed to the Titans, creating a dangerous wide receiver tandem in Tennessee while ending an offseason of speculation as to Jones’ potential landing spot.
Jones, a two-time first-team All-Pro selection, expressed his desire to depart the Atlanta Falcons this offseason in no uncertain terms. In a phone conversation with Shannon Sharpe on Fox Sports 1 last month, Jones said, “I’m out of there,” when asked if he would stay with the Falcons.
When Sharpe asked where he would like to end up, Jones said he wanted to play for a contender. The Titans seem to fit the bill, and they sent a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick on Sunday to Atlanta in exchange for the seven-time Pro Bowler and a sixth-round selection in 2023.
Jones now joins a Titans offense that already has Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown, as well as running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Titans lost tight end Jonnu Smith and wideout Corey Davis to free agency this offseason, so Jones adds another offensive weapon. Tennessee finished 11-5 last season, winning the AFC South before losing in the wild card round to the Baltimore Ravens.
In 10 seasons with the Falcons, the 32-year-old Jones has caught 848 passes for 12,896 yards. He was hampered by injury last year, though, limiting him to nine games. Jones reeled in 51 catches for 771 receiving yards — the second fewest yards of his career.
Brown, who caught 70 passes for 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, publicly advocated for Jones to join him in Tennessee. And after the news of the trade was announced, Brown posted a photo to Twitter of he, Henry and a photoshopped Jones in Titans uniforms.
“Please excuse my language when I say this ‘ya’ll done F**ked up’”, Brown tweeted.
Brown added another tweet later, with a video of him warming for a game wearing Jones’ jersey. “I was the first player to ever to wear a current player jersey in warmups,” Brown’s caption read. “I really manifest this before anyone knew.”
Moving on from Jones helps alleviate the Falcons’ tight financial situation, splitting his $23 million cap hit across two seasons because they traded Jones after June 1. Jones has a fully guaranteed base salary of $15.3 million for the upcoming season.
• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.
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