Julio Jones’ ill-fated move to the Tennessee Titans last one injury-plagued season before he was let go by the Titans.
Jones is reportedly headed back to the NFC South, joining Tom Brady and former teammate Russell Gage with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Adam Schefter first had the news on Twitter.
“Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones is signing a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per source,” reported Schefter. “The soon-to-be 45-year Tom Brady now will have a chance to throw to the 33-year-old Jones.”
The cost for Jones could be minimal, because his two former clubs are footing the bill. Jones has already been paid $15.5 million and $4.8 million by the Falcons and Titans respectively for 2022 in the form of bonuses.
Jones finally gets off the Atlanta books after this season, but he’ll still count $8.4 million against the Titans’ salary cap in 2023 as a result of a contract restructure, ironically to create cap space in 2021 for Tennessee.
Jones started just 10 games for the Titans in 2021. He posted career lows in receptions (31) and yards (434). His numbers were worse than his 2013 campaign in which he played just five games.
Jones joins Gage who signed with the Buccaneers as a free agent in the offseason. Gage signed a three-year $30 million contract with Tampa following back to back seasons in which he had more than 750-yards receiving for the Falcons.
The Falcons are scheduled to face the Buccaneers Week 5 of the NFL season when the travel to Tampa for an October 9th matchup.
Be sure to watch Forging the Falcons live on YouTube Wednesday morning at 9:00 a.m. EST as we break down the latest with the Falcons and Julio Jones.
