Julio Jones Tells Shannon Sharpe 'I'm out of' Atlanta amid Falcons Trade Rumors

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVMay 24, 2021

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 06: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons warms-up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons appear headed for a divorce.

Undisputed's Shannon Sharpe called Jones during Monday's show and asked him if he wanted to be traded to the Dallas Cowboys or stay in Atlanta.

"I'm out of there," Jones responded before adding that he wasn't interested in a trade to Dallas.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter added more context to Jones' comments on Monday:

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
This is why Julio Jones told Shannon Sharpe he’s “out of there.” Because he knows he requested a trade and the team is open to considering it. But it doesn’t mean he will get traded. https://t.co/2F0aFeSr5o

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter
Falcons prefer not to trade Julio Jones in the NFC, but would do so for the right price. But now, with Jones wanting out of Atlanta, they are looking for the best value in either conference. https://t.co/D59vq0x9jz

So Jones wants out, and the Falcons reportedly are willing to oblige that request to the right team. But he won't come cheap.

That isn't just because the Falcons are going to try to get a first-round pick for him. As Field Yates of ESPN noted, it's also because Jones has a very lucrative salary his acquiring team would be responsible for paying:

Field Yates @FieldYates
Again, the financials involved for a Julio Jones trade. The acquiring team would owe Jones: 2021: $15.3M (guaranteed) 2022: $11.513 ($2M guaranteed now) 2023: $11.513M 3-years, $38.326M for Jones, who turned 32 in February.

Granted, the 32-year-old Jones hasn't shown many signs of slowing down. While a hamstring injury limited him to nine games last year, he still caught 51 passes for 771 yards and three scores.

That broke a streak of six straight seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards. For most teams in the NFL, the seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro selection would be a game-changer.

Michael Giardi @MikeGiardi
This to me sorta slaps away the nonsense that maybe a 2nd round pick is too much. Please. Julio remains a player who must be game planned for.

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So it would be logical that a number of teams would be interested in the veteran Jones. Given his age and contract—and the fact that he hasn't been dealt yet despite reportedly requesting a trade months ago—it would appear that teams aren't so interested in meeting Atlanta's asking price of a first-round pick.