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The Tennessee Titans shockingly released Julio Jones on Wednesday after just one season with the team, making the veteran wide receiver a free agent for the first time in his NFL career. There should be a number of teams interested in signing the established playmaker in free agency, as a bounce-back year from Jones could be a huge addition to any team.
Jones is coming off the least productive season of his NFL career and has struggled with injuries of late. He only featured in 10 games last season and managed a career-low 1 TD reception, which came in Week 18. Despite his woes with the Titans, there's reason to believe that Jones can turn things around and be a key piece for a contending offense. His track record of success should be more than enough for teams to be reaching out to his agents, and it shouldn't take long for the 33-year-old to latch on with a new team.
With that in mind, here are three landing spots for Julio Jones in free agency.
3 best destinations for Julio Jones after Titans release
With Calvin Ridley suspended and Russell Gage leaving for the Buccaneers, the Falcons have a major need at wide receiver. As it stands, their top wideout on the roster is Olamide Zacchaeus, who is far from an inspiring No. 1 option. A reunion with Jones could be the perfect place for the 33-year-old to try to re-ignite his career after flaming out in Tennessee, and would also provide Matt Ryan with a familiar weapon for the 2022 season.
Of course, there's still a chance Deshaun Watson takes over as the starting QB in Atlanta, but that would only further the need to add a playmaker at wide receiver. Who better to fill that need than the franchise's all-time great wide receiver in Jones? Jones may not be so keen on what seems to be a rebuilding season for the Falcons, but the addition of Watson could change the trajectory of the franchise and potentially help lure Jones back to Atlanta.
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The Patriots were rumored to be in on Calvin Ridley before his year-long gambling suspension. Why not go for another big-name ex-Falcon instead? The Patriots could look to supply second-year QB, Mac Jones, with an experienced talent such as Jones in order to aid his development in Year 2. The Patriots have a glaring need at wide receiver, and despite recent efforts in the NFL Draft, they've failed to fill the hole. Jones would be a perfect fit for the offense and would step in as the top option on offense, allowing Jakobi Meyers to benefit from less demanding coverage.
Meyers is a great option at WR2, but the Patriots need to find a star talent to further open up the offense for Jones and Co. Julio Jones would be the ideal candidate for that role, and now that he's hit the open market, the Patriots should be all over a move for the superstar wideout.
If Julio Jones wants to win a Super Bowl, there may be no better place to achieve that goal than with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It wouldn't be surprising if Jones took a discounted one-year contract in order to play alongside Tom Brady on the Buccaneers, and the Bucs have not feigned away from signing veteran playmakers in the past to add more weapons to their offense.
After having gambled with Antonio Brown, the Bucs could look for a more stable option at wide receiver and go after Jones now that he's hit the open market. A wide receiving corps consisting of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Julio Jones would be absolutely lethal, especially after the signing of Russell Gage, and if Rob Gronkowski returns for another season. This fit is a match made in heaven for both sides and is something that should certainly be explored.
