Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons. (Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
Julio Jones straight up says he does not want to play for the Atlanta Falcons anymore.
It took one phone call, but we know exactly where Julio Jones stands with the Atlanta Falcons: He wants out.
Jones was photographed over the weekend wearing a Dallas Cowboys hoodie, as well as working out with his fellow Alabama alum Derrick Henry of Tennessee Titans fame. While Twitter has tried to trade Jones each of the last three offseasons, Jones made it abundantly clear that he is done playing for the Dirty Birds. Jones has spent his entire 10-year NFL career playing in Atlanta.
Here is what he said to Shannon Sharpe and Skip Bayless on FS1’s Undisputed on Monday.
Julio Jones does not want to play for the Atlanta Falcons any longer
While Jones is the greatest player in Falcons franchise history, the team has not been a winning organization in each of the last three seasons. Jones is on the wrong side of 30 and the Falcons are breaking in a new coaching staff under first-year head coach Arthur Smith. Though Jones does have trade value, new general manager Terry Fontenot cannot get pennies on the dollar for him.
With Jones letting Bayless and Sharpe know of the phone that he’s done with the Falcons, this puts Fontenot in a bind. Atlanta should not part with Jones for anything less than a first-round pick. While his salary is a massive one and Atlanta is in salary cap hell, Fontenot will be judged for this potential deal, probably more so than taking tight end Kyle Pitts No. 4 overall out of Florida.
If Jones says publicly he is done with the Falcons, then Fontenot has to secure the best offer.