Atlanta Falcons could benefit this season from trading Julio Jones

By now most Atlanta Falcons fans have read Arthur Blank’s comments on Julio Jones and his departure out of Atlanta. The comments were less than glowing about a player always thought to be setting an example in Atlanta.

Owner Arthur Blank makes it clear Julio didn’t want to be in Atlanta and it was not a secret to the rest of the locker room.  If true this sheds an entirely new light on the trade and the potential benefits it could bring to Atlanta.

However, it is only fair to note that it is completely possible this is a case of sour grapes from the Falcons’ owner. However, his comments are too interesting not to at least make note of heading into the new season.

Could the Atlanta Falcons benefit from moving Julio Jones to the Titans?

Julio Jones has long been one of the two best receivers in this league. It was only last season one could have argued he fell outside of the top five. From a pure production and talent standpoint, this is a loss for Atlanta no matter how you slice it.

Jones was an elite receiver for a decade and is responsible for a lot of the success that Atlanta has had.

Let us consider for a moment Blank’s comments, comments that made it very clear Julio wanted out of Atlanta for two years and the locker room knew it. Consider the toll it would take in your workplace if your best co-worker suddenly didn’t want to be there anymore. There is a ripple effect that changes outlooks and the tune of a team or workplace.

This is in no way to suggest Jones was responsible for the failure Atlanta has endured over the last two seasons. Rather to point out if Blank is being forthcoming then Julio certainly didn’t help Atlanta over the last two years.

Julio Jones is a tone-setter one who is going to have a lot of influence not only on the offense but the entire building. When one of your best players doesn’t want to be there it is unlikely you’re going to have success, unless of course, you’re Aaron Rodgers.

If we take Blank at his word Atlanta moving on from Julio could be addition by subtraction. With a clear receiving option in Calvin Ridley Atlanta’s offense isn’t going to suffer and their locker room may benefit.

The fact the Falcons moved Julio so quickly compared to other teams with disgruntled stars speaks to a team ready to move on. We now have some insight into why Atlanta was so ready to move on from one of the best players of the last decade and can only hope it will be to their benefit.