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The climax of the Julio Jones saga is coming to fruition, and it marks the end of an era in Atlanta. The Falcons announced Sunday they will trade Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans.
Jones will play his football in the AFC, and will join a team that has been to the playoffs each of the past two seasons.
We have agreed to terms to trade Julio Jones to the Tennessee Titans for a compensation package that includes a 2022 second-round pick.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 6, 2021
DETAILS https://t.co/VDJ5cPkXD9
Ian Rapoport broke the news earlier on Sunday.
Sources: The #Falcons are trading All-Pro WR Julio Jones to the #Titans in exchange for at least a 2nd round pick. A blockbuster for Tennessee, who now gets the coveted big-play threat. And Atlanta ends up with very nice value.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 6, 2021
Julio Jones asked for a trade in the early part of the offseason, and the new regime of Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith has obliged on his request. Rapoport also reported more details on the terms of the trade.
Full terms:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 6, 2021
The #Falcons get a 2022 2nd round pick and Atlanta gets the titans 4 in 2023 and they give back their 6 in 2023.
The Titans get Julio Jones.
Arthur Blank, as you’d expect, praised Julio in a statement released Sunday evening.
“Julio Jones will always be part of the Falcons story, having set numerous records and creating many great memories for all our fans, including me, since the day we drafted him. He has been a fixture on our team for almost half the time I have owned the Falcons. As we both move in another direction, I’m deeply grateful for what Julio has done for our team and what he has meant to our city and, in my mind, he will always be part of the Falcons family. I wish him nothing but the best in Tennessee and throughout his life.”
The compensation of a 2nd round pick in 2022 and a 4th round pick in 2023 will help this team continue to retool the roster. What will help even more is getting the rest of his salary off the books. The Falcons notably didn’t even have enough money to sign their draft class up to this point. Trading No. 11 post-June 1 lets them defer some of the dead cap to next season, when they can really start rebuilding under an increased cap.
Overall, Jones spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Atlanta Falcons after being drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2011. He finishes his time here with the all-time franchise mark in receiving yards (12,896) and receptions (848). He also has 60 receiving touchdowns to his name, which is second behind only Roddy White. His 95.5 yards per game ranks first in NFL history.