Alabama Football: Julio Jones wants out of Atlanta

Alabama football’s Julio Jones flipped the script

Since before the NFL Draft, rumors were swirling that the Atlanta Falcons planned on trading Julio Jones to save money on the salary cap. After a questionable interview with Shannon Sharpe, the Alabama football legend confirmed that his time in Atlanta was done. He stated that he wanted to go to a winning team and added that he doesn’t want to join the Dallas Cowboys.

After this news broke, Ian Rapoport added that it was actually Julio Jones who requested a trade months ago. This exacerbates things for Falcons fans. Not only does it hurt that your franchise cornerstone wants out after a decade of dominance, but it proves that this is the likely end for his Atlanta career.

Julio Jones raised the floor for the Falcons, but they seem to be changing the guard with a new head coach and general manager. Their days of contending in the NFC South are behind them, and Jones would likely be past his prime before they became a contender again.

In terms of a landing spot, you’d have to think that the Falcons would prefer to trade him to the AFC. That makes teams like the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens interesting. All three teams need to improve if they want to compete with the Chiefs, and they could all use a receiver.

All three teams have Alabama football ties as well. Marlon Humphrey has been trying to recruit Julio to join him with the Ravens on Twitter. Derrick Henry worked out with Julio Jones this offseason, and the Patriots drafted Alabama football’s Mac Jones.

Realistically, all 31 teams should be trading for the future Hall-of-Famer. Any team would be better with him on the roster, and his contract isn’t absurd to trade for. Whether you want to develop your young quarterback or need a weapon to contend for a Super Bowl, Jones will be a solid fit.

We’ll have to wait until June to see where he lands, but it is clear that Julio Jones will be leaving the Atlanta Falcons. He’s been in Atlanta since he left Alabama football for the NFL, but he will be finding a new home in the coming months.