Falcons taking calls on Julio Jones

[Dante84]

A hamstring injury limited Jones to just nine games last season, though he still put up strong numbers when he was on the field. He caught 51 passes for 771 yards and three scores as the Falcons finished the year 4-12. From 2014-19, Jones missed only four games and averaged 104 catches and 1,564 yards per season. SI Link.

The #Falcons have received calls from teams inquiring about possible trades for All-Pro WR Julio Jones, sources say. A trade could not happen for cap reasons before June 1, but teams know Atlanta’s brutal cap situation and are calling. A deal won’t happen now, but later? Maybe.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2021

From NFL Now: The #Falcons have been receiving calls on All-Pro WR Julio Jones, and while it's somewhat unlikely they get the value they would want, it's not impossible. A look at how it would work... pic.twitter.com/kZArO6t578

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2021

The #Falcons have been listening to trade offers for star WR Julio Jones, per @peter_king and @AlbertBreer. Atlanta has one of the worst cap situations in the league and trading Julio effective after June 1st would create $15M in cap space and save the big dead cap hit for 2022.

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) April 26, 2021

From Peter King:

Surprises? Keep an eye on Atlanta. I can’t predict any bombshells. But a few things would not surprise me. Most notably, the Falcons putting the framework of a trade together for star wideout Julio Jones, and making the trade effective June 2. That way, Atlanta could split Jones’ cap charge between 2021 and 2022 instead of getting bashed with it all this year. So if such a trade happens, I expect it could involve a future pick or picks, nothing this year. (A future second-round pick as compensation seems fair to me.) Because such a trade wouldn’t be official till June, no picks in this draft could be involved. As for the interested team or teams, I would guess Las Vegas; Jon Gruden couldn’t resist Antonio Brown, and I doubt he could resist Julio Jones. New England too, and a couple of teams with clear receiver needs—Tennessee and Baltimore.

Now, the Falcons don’t really want to trade Julio Jones. He’s a franchise legend. But he’s 32, entering his 11th season, coming off a banged-up year with seven games missed due to injury, and the Falcons are in cap jail. If they could off-load his money and cushion it by splitting it between this year ($7.75 million) and next ($15.5 million), Atlanta’s cap charge on Jones this year goes down by a tad more than $15 million.

One final note here, to be very clear: I am not reporting the Falcons will trade Jones, or will probably trade Jones. I am saying it would not surprise me if it happened.

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by Couch-Potato

What would it cost us in trade value?

Probably not as much as you'd think. Not sure how many teams could make it work financially and are also in win now mode the next couple of years. I'm sure the Falcons would like to send him to the AFC as well and I'd think Julio would demand a contender and legit QB.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by carcosa

After a career of having his talent wasted, maybe he'd be willing to do that for a ring......

That's what we are going to hope for with vets like him. Come to KC for your best shot at a ring, but by and large don't expect to get paid top dollar (with a few exceptions).

[New World Order]

I'd throw them a second. Some say that might be too much, but adding Julio is as close to locking up a SB (or two) as you're going to get.

On paper, we would be the greatest team of all-time. Easy.

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by UChieffyBugger

With the potential our new line has now imagine what Tyreek, Julio and Travis could do if Pat stays clean and has time??? It would be devestating

Literally wouldn't even be fair.

[The Franchise]

I’d throw the Falcons a 5th this year and a 3rd next year.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Still don't want him on that salary. If he were to take a massive paycut then maybe.

Julio could finish his awesome career catching passes by the greatest QB while winning Championships. I wonder if that is enough incentive to outweigh money. Money, he has plenty of- SB rings-Zero.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by New World Order

I'd throw them a second. Some say that might be too much, but adding Julio is as close to locking up a SB (or two) as you're going to get.

On paper, we would be the greatest team of all-time. Easy.

Dat salary though. We just went through paying WR#1 money to a talented receiver who always seemed to be injured.

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by New World Order

I'd throw them a second. Some say that might be too much, but adding Julio is as close to locking up a SB (or two) as you're going to get.

On paper, we would be the greatest team of all-time. Easy.

I'd personally have zero issue giving up our 2022 1st rounder (pick 32 hopefully) and a later pick if thats what it took. Thats just me. You'd have to think that secures one SB title at minimum. Worth it!

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Dat salary though. We just went through paying WR#1 money to a talented receiver who always seemed to be injured.

True, it is a Huge risk, but also a Huge reward. The psychological effect it would have on our division and their fans would be worth it.

[KChiefs1]

If the Chiefs don’t take a WR tomorrow...something is in the works.

Veach never rests.

[New World Order]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Dat salary though. We just went through paying WR#1 money to a talented receiver who always seemed to be injured.

He's capable of 1500 receiving yard, 10 td seasons even when he's not fully healthy.

He's worth it.

[ForeverIowan]

Sure as shit dont want to see him in Buffalo next to Diggs or something similar either.

[BossChief]

We don’t even have enough cap space to make a trade for him.

His base salary is 15.3m.

And I know we all want a Tyrann extension and think it’s a done deal and it’s this big gift of cap space. It’s not.

Honestly, I’d be more surprised if they get an extension done this offseason with him.

[MAHOMO 4 LIFE!]

Originally Posted by BossChief

We don’t even have enough cap space to make a trade for him.

His base salary is 15.3m.

And I know we all want a Tyrann extension and think it’s a done deal and it’s this big gift of cap space. It’s not.

Honestly, I’d be more surprised if they get an extension done this offseason with him.

Nah Veach said an extension will get done. Said they will talk about it after the draft

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by BossChief

We don’t even have enough cap space to make a trade for him.

His base salary is 15.3m.

And I know we all want a Tyrann extension and think it’s a done deal and it’s this big gift of cap space. It’s not.

Honestly, I’d be more surprised if they get an extension done this offseason with him.

No cap expert but truly don't think that's accurate. We are currently north of $9 M under the cap. Mathieus cap hit this year is just south of $20 M. You get Mathieus extension done this summer you can clear a lot of '21 cap space.