Skip Bayless: Tom Brady Reached out to Julio Jones to Recruit WR After Titans Release

If you believe Skip Bayless, Tom Brady is working to recruit Julio Jones to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

On FS1's Undisputed, Bayless said someone close to Jones texted him Thursday morning that Brady sent the seven-time Pro Bowler a direct message on Instagram asking him to "come on down to the sunshine here in Tampa, and let’s be great together."

Jones became a free agent Thursday after the Tennessee Titans released him. The team listed the 33-year-old as a post-June 1 cut, which will save it $9.5 million in cap space. 

Brady's return to the Bucs after a 40-day retirement almost certainly altered the team's plans this offseason. 

Rather than trying to find a quarterback to replace Brady, Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht has been able to focus on reloading the roster to support the 44-year-old future Hall of Famer. 

The Buccaneers have already ensured Brady will have a receiving corps that has both stars and depth. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still with the team. 

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that Godwin agreed to a three-year, $60 million extension after the Bucs initially placed the franchise tag on him. 

Rapoport also reported the Buccaneers will sign free-agent receiver Russell Gage. Agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Breshad Perriman will re-sign with the team on a one-year deal. 

They also have Scotty Miller, Tyler Johnson and Jaelon Darden on their roster. 

Tampa Bay is also waiting to see if Rob Gronkowski will return. 

Jones would be a luxury item more than anything else at this point. He will almost certainly be hoping to rebuild his value after injuries limited him to 19 games over the past two seasons combined. 

The Titans acquired Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick from the Atlanta Falcons in June 2021 for a second-round pick in 2022 and a fourth-round pick in 2023. 

Jones set career-lows in targets (48), receptions (31), receiving yards (434) and touchdowns (one) in just 10 games last season. 

Tampa Bay won the NFC South in 2021 with a 13-4 record, but it lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Round.