Falcons Have Multiple Offers On Table For Julio Jones, Including A Future First

According to Dianna Russini, the Falcons have discussed several trade offers for WR Julio Jones recently. 

She adds one of those offers included a future first-round pick, which is about what Atlanta had been seeking for Jones before the draft. 

She also mentions the Titans are one of the teams the Falcons have had talks with. They’re still in the mix but Russini says as of now they’re a “long shot” to land Jones.

Russini notes the sense around the league is a deal could be done by early next week. The Falcons have to wait to officially trade Jones until after June 1 due to salary cap reasons. 

There has been increasing buzz about the Falcons possibly trading Jones, given that they need to create $8 million cap space or so to sign their rookie class and only have a few options, including a Jones trade. 

That crescendoed with an impromptu ESPN interview where Jones declared he’s “out of there” when asked if he’s coming back to Atlanta. 

The Patriots have had internal discussions about a trade for Jones, and a number of other contenders would likely be interested.

Jones’ $15.3 million base salary for 2021 is a major obstacle for any interested teams to take on. That had led to some speculation the Falcons would be fortunate to get a second-round pick back for Jones. However, these situations are always fluid and this report makes it clear things have shifted to the benefit of Atlanta. 

According to Over The Cap, the Falcons would incur a dead money hit of $23.25 million for trading Jones before June 1, but only $7.75 million in dead money for a trade after that date, as well as $15.3 million in cap savings. 

Jones, 32, is a former first-round pick of the Falcons back in 2011. He was in the fifth year of his six-year, $81.432 million contract that includes $47 million guaranteed when he agreed to a three-year, $66 million fully guaranteed contract extension in 2019. 

In 2020, Jones appeared in nine games for the Falcons and caught 51 passes for 771 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

We’ll have more on Jones as the news is available.