Julio Jones traded to Titans, giving passing attack an electroshock

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 08: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 08: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 08, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Tennessee Titans got aggressive and traded for Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones to strengthen their passing attack. 

This offseason, questions surrounded the Atlanta Falcons and their star wide receiver Julio Jones on where he would play for the 2021 season. We now know the answer as the Tennessee Titans, via Ian Rapoport, that they have traded for the star receiver.

Tennessee sends a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick to the Falcons in exchange for Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick. Additionally, per the reports, the Titans will take on just north of $15 million in Jones’ salary this season while Atlanta takes on a $7.75 million dead cap charge. The rest of the deal will be absorbed by the Titans.

This move gives Tennessee a future first-ballot Hall of Famer on the offensive side of the ball to go with A.J. Brown to form a formidable duo in the passing game. Additionally, with the presence of a 2,000-yard running back in Derrick Henry anchoring the backfield, the Titans are in a prime position to not only stay atop the AFC South but potentially challenge for the Super Bowl with Kansas City and Buffalo.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill now has a weapon on offense that he’s really never had before. For one, just the mere presence of Jones is enough for defenses to focus their attention towards. Moreover, it opens up the passing game and allows other receivers, including Brown, to make big plays.

The Tennessee Titans were fortunate to land Julio Jones, while the Falcons are left with questions.

While Tennesee is working up a new song to celebrate their newest acquisition, the questions are still aimed at the Atlanta Falcons as to what they will do without Jones in their offense. After all, this was a player in which they traded up in 2011 in grab in the draft and have since enjoyed several years of great production, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2016, in which they lost.

Also, Jones has been the face of the Falcons franchise alongside quarterback Matt Ryan for several years. Now, new Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, previously in Tennessee, will be in charge of reshaping the offense around Ryan and first-round pick Kyle Pitts, the tight end from Florida. It would have been nice to have Jones alongside Pitts in the offense, but that’s no longer the case.

Instead, Jones will be in the music city, hoping to spark up a new tune that allows Tennessee to sing a song about being a Super Bowl champion possibly. Sure, they will have to get through a few strong opponents within the conference, but this move only helps the team instead of setting them back.