Atlanta Falcons HC Arthur Smith Makes Bizzare Claim Terming Julio Jones Trade a ‘Win-Win’ Scenario
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Atlanta Falcons HC Arthur Smith Makes Bizzare Claim Terming Julio Jones Trade a ‘Win-Win’ Scenario
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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 22: Wide receiver Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons has some laughs on the sidelines in the second half of an NFL preseason game against the Washington Redskins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 22: Wide receiver Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons has some laughs on the sidelines in the second half of an NFL preseason game against the Washington Redskins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Tennessee Titans pulled off what can arguably be termed as the steal of the offseason. Landing star wideout Julio Jones from the Atlanta Falcons for a 2022 second-round and a 2023 fourth-round pick, the Titans offense on paper looks incredible.
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Titans QB Ryan Tannehill will now have two elite wide receivers to aim at next season. Up and coming AJ Brown and the veteran Jones himself. Apart from that the side is also blessed to have the best running back in the league in the form of Derrick Henry.
Picking up Julio Jones for anything less than a first-round pick is a steal. No questions asked. But the Falcons seem to be convinced that letting go of Jones was the best possible scenario.
As bizarre as that sounds, Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith tried to justify why letting go of their All-Pro caliber wideout was the right way forward for the franchise.
Smith feels Julio Jones trade made sense for the Falcons
Appearing on the Chris Collinsworth podcast, Smith said that the prevailing salary cap scenario forced the Falcons to trade away Jones.
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“We knew the issue with the cap and then obviously the cap went down this year, coming off the bizarre year with the pandemic, the cap actually shrunk. So we knew there were going to be some big decisions we would have to make coming up,” said Smith.
And in the end Smith seems to be pleased with how the trade of Jones to the Titans played out.
“The way everything worked out, we feel pretty good,” he said. “We feel like it was a win-win. With the salary cap, and Julio going to Tennessee. And us right now being able to solve our short-term issue with the cap.”
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Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers. The game took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
While the Falcons may have found some relief in terms of their salary cap issue, replacing Jones will require a monumental effort. A two-time All Pro, Jones’ absence will make a huge impact on the Falcons’ offense next season.
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One they hope will be softened by the arrival of rookie tight end sensation Kyle Pitts. While Jones joining the Titans is definitely a win for the wideout searching for his first Super Bowl ring, the same is difficult to say for the Falcons.
Do you think the franchise was right to trade away Julio Jones? Let us know in the comments below.
