The Atlanta Falcons have traded one of their all-time greats, Wide Receiver Julio Jones, to the Tennessee Titans. This news matters for the Dallas Cowboys as they are set to play Atlanta in Week 10 this year, plus it means Jones won't be playing for an NFC East rival or even within the conference in 2021.
Talk of Julio leaving Atlanta has been going for a while now. At one point, a social media picture of Jones wearing Cowboys merchandise even set off talk of his joining Dallas. But this was never serious; the Cowboys are one of the new NFL teams that can argue it doesn't need Julio.
Much more serious talk had Jones potentially joining division rivals like Philadelphia or Washington, among a host of other teams. But now Julio won't even be staying in the NFC as he's headed to the Titans.
The Falcons are expected to trade Julio Jones to the Titans barring any setbacks in the next 24-48 hours, per sources. The 2 sides still are finalizing compensation but, as one source said, “I feel very good about this happening” If there are no snags, the trade official Monday.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) June 6, 2021
Official compensation update: Falcons will get a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round pick for Julio Jones and a sixth-round pick in 2023. Trade now official.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 6, 2021
This is all good news for the Cowboys. Their young and developing secondary won't have to worry about one of the best receivers in the game, who even after 10 seasons and in his 30s is still highly productive and a matchup problem for almost any NFL cornerback.
Dallas' games against the Atlanta Falcons have already enough drama the last few years. In 2017 we had the infamous “Chaz Green game” and one of the worst single days in recent Cowboys history. Just last year in Week 2 we saw one of Dallas' wildest comebacks against Atlanta.
2021 may not be any different. Many are already dreading seeing rookie TE Kyle Pitts in a Falcons uniform this year after months of pining for him to potentially fall to the Cowboys.
At least now Pitts, Matt Ryan, and the rest of that Atlanta offense won't have Julio Jones helping them. Who knows what either the Falcons or Cowboys will look like by Week 10 of this upcoming season, but I'd bet Jones' absence will have an impact in some fashion.
