Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons are parting ways.
Jones dropped a bombshell on live TV in telling Shannon Sharpe of Undisputed that he is not returning to the team.
RELATED: Julio Jones drops a bombshell on live TV telling Shannon Sharpe he’s not returning to Falcons
When it comes to the Falcons, it is entertaining trade talks for the 32-year-old. Jones is a perennial Pro Bowler and a two-time first-team All-Pro at wide receiver. After spending 10 years with the Falcons, he said ‘he wants to win.’
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has a lot of game left in him, and he is still one of the best all-around receivers in the National Football League.
Tyrone Prothro, an Alabama alumnus, has two teams he wants Jones to play for.
Tennessee or Miami. I’d be happy with either. https://t.co/CPXMYXCv8Q
— Tyrone Prothro (@Prothro4) May 24, 2021
If he ends up with the Titans or Dolphins, things will be interesting. Jones has been working out with Derrick Henry, and Tennessee has one superstar in A.J. Brown. Brown modeled his game after Jones, and it would give Ryan Tannehill more confidence as a quarterback to have Jones.
Miami would be doing Tua Tagovailoa the ultimate favor if it got Jones.
The second-year quarterback would then have two former Crimson Tide standouts to target.
RELATED: Derrick Henry and Julio Jones spotted working out together ahead of trade rumors
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons want a first-round pick for Jones. Atlanta traded up to the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft to select him. Before his statement to Sharpe, Jones had been the face of the franchise.
Atlanta has asked teams that have inquired about Julio Jones for a first-round draft pick in return, per sources. Others around the league don’t believe the Falcons ultimately will get a first for the perennial Pro-Bowl wide receiver.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 24, 2021
Field Yates, an ESPN reporter, broke down the three-year financial status for the team that takes Jones.
Again, the financials involved for a Julio Jones trade. The acquiring team would owe Jones:
2021: $15.3M (guaranteed)
2022: $11.513 ($2M guaranteed now)
2023: $11.513M3-years, $38.326M for Jones, who turned 32 in February.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 24, 2021
We shall see where he ends up.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
