The Eagles decided to drop a pipebomb on the footballing world this past Tuesday, announcing that they have future Hall of Fame wideout, Julio Jones, to a one-year contract. The move came after a few weeks of uncertainty at the slot wideout position and a lingering injury for Quez Watkins. But what does it mean for the team moving forward?
There is no better candidate for this Eagles team
Picture this. You’re an NFL General Manager who has worked tirelessly over the last two and a half years to build a team around your quarterback. We’re not just talking weapons, but players he knows, friends he can rely on, and teammates he’s had experience with in the past. There are chemistry links all over this Eagles offense, with many of them tying Alabama (and Georgia on defense) to the City of Brotherly Love.
Not only is Julio Jones a product of the Crimson Tide like DeVonta Smith and Jalen Hurts after him, but he was also lured to Tennessee by one A.J Brown.
The Ole Miss graduate idolized Julio when growing up, like many did. While they only spent a short time together, it’s clear that meeting your heroes isn’t always a bad thing.
Upon Julio Jones’ release from Tennessee, Brown tweeted this:
“You have taught me a lot in a short period of time. I’m grateful to be a part of your journey. You’re the reason why I started to begin to play this game. A HOF receiver is what you are and what I strive to be one day. Thank you, I’ll take it from here! Salute!”
The two now get to reunite in Philadelphia, adding a veteran to the group who can teach DeVonta Smith in the same way he mentored A.J Brown. The ultimate ‘players’ player’, Julio Jones is someone who can come in and really add to the knowledge base of that locker room.
This brings me onto my second point…
Julio Jones has the Knowledge of a Footballing God
The Eagles offense has been lucky to get to where it is. It’s weirdly polarizing. On one hand you’ve got A.J Brown breaking records and D’Andre Swift rushing his way into the history books. On the other, well, the less said about that the better.
He can add insight to an offense that has been struggling to find a consistent identity and aid a quarterback who has definitely had some different challenges thrown at him this season.
Look at how much Julio Jones was able to elevate Matt Ryan’s game during their tenures in Atlanta. Look at how creative that offense was at times. If there is ever a player who can walk into the locker room and begin spotting potential weak spots or add insight from an incredible career, it’s Julio Jones.
Production
I know, I know. ‘Julio Jones is past his best and he’s now 34 years old’.
But if you were given six months to weigh up the options for a DEPTH wideout through both trade and free agency, I highly doubt many would come as decorated as Julio Jones.
The truth is, a ‘past his best’ Julio Jones is still going to be far more efficient than the majority of practice squad candidates in today’s NFL. Even in 2022, he had 299 yards through 10 games for the Bucs. That’s still more productive than Jalen Reagor ever was, and at this point in the proceedings, is going to cost around the same price.
We’re talking about one of the craftiest route-runners the league has ever seen and someone who could turn a dead play into a touchdown through sheer force of will. Sound familiar? He’s like the best of DeVonta Smith and A.J Brown rolled into one superhuman. And while that genetic freak might be aging, his sheer presence alone is going to open things up before he’s even started his route.
That, in an offense already filled with starts but has lost its shine over the middle, is worth its weight in Gold.
Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire
