:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69334535/usa_today_11682712.0.jpg)
[Update] WR Julio Jones has officially been traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have sent a 2022 second-round pick and 2023 fourth-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for Jones and a 2023 sixth-rounder.
The Atlanta Falcons and Julio Jones appear on the verge of a split. When the team drafted tight end Kyle Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick instead of taking a quarterback, it seemed they were all in on winning this season. The Pitts pick now looks like the team just couldn’t pass on his talent, but are still keeping their eye on the future, as reports surface that the team wants to move their future Hall of Fame wide receiver.
Jones requested a trade a couple months ago according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Falcons also said they, “would like to trade” Jones according to The Athletic’s Jeff Schultz. They surely want to get as much as possible for their star wide out, and likely told prospective trade partners that they are very willing to keep him another season. But, now that Jones has requested a trade and said on record about his time in Atlanta, “I’m out of there,” they likely don’t have as much leverage. He also says he wants to go to a winning team, which could narrow the trade partners down.
There are plenty of possibilities out there for teams that could use someone of Jones’ caliber to take a big step toward a Super Bowl win. Rumors will be flying, but at this moment there really is no frontrunner for his 2021 services.