With Atlanta Falcons heading towards their third straight season without playoffs, many people think that their star wideout Julio Jones would be better off elsewhere. But it appears that Jones doesn’t share that opinion.
Speaking with reporters after a crushing 23-22 loss to Detroit Lions over the weekend, Jones was asked at one point whether he would like to be traded.
“No,” said Jones with determination. “I play football. I know who I am, I know what I got going on. I know what I mean to this team.”
Jones has been one of the league’s best wide receivers for years now and is poised to have another productive year in 2020 despite Atlanta’s struggles. He has 31 catches for 447 yards and two touchdowns in the first seven weeks of the season.
There is no doubt that the Falcons could get some major assets in return for Julio Jones if they would put him out on the market. But multiple reports say this isn’t an option, as Atlanta isn’t interested in parting ways with their best players despite poor performances in recent years.
Another thing that makes Jones’ trade unlikely is the fact that he still has three years and $64 million guaranteed left on his deal, and moving him would have big consequences for the Falcons’ salary cap.
Jones spent his entire career in Atlanta, earning seven Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro selections since 2012. He has 820 career receptions for 12,475 yards and 59 touchdowns.
