The Titans plan to release Julio Jones, according to Dianna Russini, after just one season following the blockbuster deal that sent the former All-Pro out of Atlanta for the first time in his career.
The Titans are planning on releasing WR Julio Jones, sources tell @AdamSchefter and me
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 16, 2022
When Jones forced his way out of Atlanta last spring, the Falcons were left to pick up the pieces and salvage what they could — netting second and fourth-round picks. For Tennessee, it seemed Jones would be the missing piece. Well, that never came to fruition. The Titans could not advance in the playoffs this year (similarly to the last), losing at home after their first-round bye.
Jones finished with six catches and 62 yards in the team’s AFC Divisional round loss to the Bengals. The former superstar receiver has dealt with nagging injuries the past couple of seasons, and his first season after departing Atlanta was no different. Jones had the worst statistical season of his career, totaling 31 receptions for 434 yards and only one touchdown. Those numbers are even worse than his 2013 campaign, when he only played in five games.
In the last eight weeks of the regular season, Julio had ten receptions for 98 yards in four games and didn’t play in the other four. That production certainly wasn’t game-changing for the Titans, but the hope was that they could get him healthy before the playoffs and that something would finally click.
To a certain extent, it worked. Jones was productive in the playoff game against Cincinnati, but Ryan Tannehill struggled with interceptions and ultimately held the team back.
When the Titans acquired Jones for a second and fourth-round pick, many across the league felt Tennessee got away with murder. Well, in hindsight, it seems the Falcons sold at the right time, even if it wasn’t their decision.
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