NEWSLETTER
I’m not sure Julio Jones knew he was live on air when he said he was done with the Falcons. But I’m not sure it was going to matter. Because once that gets out, no matter how, it was only a matter of time before a deal was done.
And now, it seems as if Atlanta is on the cusp of moving an all-world receiver to Tennessee:
The Falcons are expected to trade Julio Jones to the Titans barring any setbacks in the next 24-48 hours, per sources. The 2 sides still are finalizing compensation but, as one source said, “I feel very good about this happening” If there are no snags, the trade official Monday.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) June 6, 2021
ESPN’s Dianna Russini reports at the Falcons and Titans are on the precipice of a deal that would send Jones from Atlanta to Tennessee, “barring any setbacks in the next 24-48 hours.” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds the compensation is at least a second-round pick. The deal isn’t officially official. There seems to be small print on the page and minor details to iron out. HOWEVER, it feels like this is just about done. And thus, ends this particular saga.
Jones, 32, is a seven-time Pro Bowler who has two-first team All-Pro nominations under his belt. It has been a prolific career for the Alabama product. Jones has seven 1,000-yard seasons on his résumé, including two seasons in which he led the league in receiving yards. He also has three years in which he led the NFL in receiving yards per game. And back in 2015, Jones led football in catches, receiving yards, and yards per game. The 2020 season was an injury-shortened one for Jones, but that track record is enough to net the Falcons at least a second-round pick for their troubles. Especially considering the salary cap ramifications.
Speaking of which, the Titans don’t have the cap space to take on Jones’ $15.3 million salary. And while Atlanta will clear that, it will come with a $7.75 million dead money hit. Maybe there will be some restructuring of Jones’ deal that will aid in this process. But as things stand, the Titans have just $3,356,220 in available cap space. Moving things around to accommodate a player like Jones will be worth whatever that hassle turns out to be.
UPDATE:
Julio! Julio! Ju-li-oooo! 📣
Titans Agree to Trade Terms with Falcons 📰 » https://t.co/EMvRhz0D30
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 6, 2021
The #Titans deal for Julio Jones:
— The #Falcons get a 2022 2nd rounder and a 2023 4th rounder.
— The #Titans get Julio Jones & a 6th rounder in 2023.
— The #Titans take on Jones’ salary of $15.3M in 2021 and the rest of the deal.
— #Falcons have $7.75M in dead money this year.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 6, 2021
