Former Alabama WR Julio Jones signing with Super Bowl contender
Julio Jones now has a new place to call home in the NFL. After spending last season with the Tennessee Titans, the former Alabama star receiver is signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Jones spent the first 10 years of his career with the Atlanta Falcons after they traded up to select him No. 6 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. He rewarded the franchise by racking up 848 receptions, 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns during his decade-long stretch.
After dealing with a rough stretch of nagging injuries and drops in production, the then 32-year-old pass-catcher was traded to the Tennessee Titans prior to the 2021 season. Unfortunately, those injuries and lack of production followed Jones to Nashville. He was limited to just 434 yards and one score in 10 games. That led to his release back in mid-March.
Now, he’ll get the opportunity to go play with six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Really, the Buccaneers being seen as an ideal landing spot extends beyond just Brady, too. At 33, Jones is likely past the point of being a true No. 1 receiver, but he can still be productive.
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There was hope that Tennessee’s offense would allow him to slide into the No. 2 role behind A.J. Brown, but he wasn’t ever healthy enough to make that happen. In Tampa Bay, he’ll likely be the No. 3 option behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
That may not seem like an ideal situation, but that role prevents opposing defenses from giving Jones too much attention. At the same time, the recent departures of Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard means that Jones will have a chance at consistent targets. We’ve already seen three receivers produce in that Bucs offense, after all.
Schefter also reported that the Green Bay Packers had shown interest in Jones.
Hopefully, the former Alabama standout can go win himself a Super Bowl before his playing career comes to an end. I’m sure most of the Crimson Tide faithful will be pulling for him, even if the signing wasn’t with an NFL team some fans root for.
