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Julio Jones trade was a lose-lose for Jones and the Titans

By Brendan Danaher

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Julio Jones (2) stretches during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.Nas 0610 Titans 005
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Julio Jones (2) stretches during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Thursday, June 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.Nas 0610 Titans 005 /
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The Tennessee Titans traded a second and fourth round pick in 2021 to the Atlanta Falcons for legendary wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones is already being cut after just one season in Tennessee. 

Julio Jones was acquired for two picks in 2021 by the Tennessee Titans and it appears it may not have been so fortuitous in the long run as Jones’ tenure with the Titans ended just after 4:00 pm on the first official day of free agency for the 2022 NFL season.

Jones, who celebrated great success during his time in Atlanta, recorded seven seasons (out of 10) with 1,000 receiving yards with 60 receiving touchdowns on 31 receptions. In Tennessee Jones recorded one touchdown with 434 receiving yards.

As it is said in the NFL, the best ability is availability and Jones was only available to the Titans for ten games, missing seven games due to a lingering hamstring injury he sustained during training camp. Jones was supposed to complement the Titans’ other dynamic receiver, AJ Brown, but the dream team never truly assembled as hoped. The release of Jones will save the Titans $9.513 million in cash/salary.

The Titans did win the AFC South, a division featuring the bottom two teams in the league (Texans and Jaguars), and finished the regular season with a 12-5 record making the playoffs. The Titans defense performed admirably against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round but the offense stuttered greatly and was shut out in the first and fourth quarters ultimately losing 19-16.

The trade was ultimately a lose-lose for both the Titans and Jones in the end. On the flip side, the Titans will miss those two picks as they search for another pass catcher for the 2022 season. Lucky for them the upcoming receiver class is stacked with talent and the Titans are armed with the 26th pick overall.

Jones’ legacy takes a hit as he performed well under expectations last season and will likely take a pay decrease on his next contract. Jones is rumored to have several potential suitors already, with the 49ers, Patriots, and Raiders expressing interest, although he will have to get healthy and attempt to regain his form.

While Jones will likely make it to the Hall of Fame one day at the age of 33 this could be the last time we see #11 hit the field.

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