Wide Receiver Extraordinaire Julio Jones Announced His Retirement
To say he had a lasting impact on the Atlanta Falcons organization is an understatement. He became known for making acrobatic, toe-tapping sideline catches. Leaving fans with their jaws on the ground. The bulk of his career was spent with the Falcons, but he did go on to sign with the Tennessee Titans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles. However, after an incredible 13 year career, wide receiver extraordinaire Julio Jones announced his retirement. He posted a video on social media app, Squad.
Jones was an University of Alabama standout who was drafted by the Falcons with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. It cost the Falcons quite a bit to get that pick in the draft, making a massive deal with the Cleveland Browns. The Falcons packaged a total of five draft picks, including their No. 27 overall pick for that year, in exchange for the No. 6 overall pick. The pick was especially surprising because they already had WR1 Roddy White. But that deal paid off for the Falcons right away.
Jones became one of the most productive Falcons in the history of the organization. Some of his accomplishments were detailed on the Falcons website. Between 2011-20, he totaled a franchise-best 12,896 receiving yards with 60 touchdowns in 134 games. He also surpassed Jerry Rice as the fastest player in NFL history to reach 12,000 receiving yards during the 2019 season. During his 10-year run in Atlanta, Jones totaled more receiving yards, yards after the catch and first downs off a reception than any other player in the league.
Wide Receiver Extraordinaire Julio Jones Announced His Retirement
At the end of his run with the Falcons, Jones held several franchise records:
- 12,896 – Most receiving yards (career)
- 1,871 – Most receiving yards (single season, 2015)
- 848 – Most receptions (career)
- 300 – Most receiving yards in a game (Week 4, 2016)
- 182 – Most receiving yards (playoff game; NFC Championship, 2013)
- 136 – Most receptions (single season, 2015)
- 58 – Most 100-yard receiving games (career)
- 9 – Most 100-yard receiving games in a season (2015 and 2018)
- 3 – Most seasons with 100 catches (career)
- 3 – Most games with 250 or more receiving yards (career)
Jones produced seven 1,000-yard seasons — all in Atlanta — from 2012 through 2019, the only exception coming in 2013 when a foot injury limited him to five games. Twice during that span, Jones led the NFL in receiving yards.
Wide Receiver Julio Jones Hanging Up His Cleats
His ten year run with the Falcons was nothing short of incredible. He helped get the Falcons to Super Bowl LI but they fell short in the infamous 28-3 overtime win by the Patriots. However, all good things must come to an end. Jones requested a trade and lasted only one year and 10 games with the Titans in 2021. He was signed by the Buccaneers ahead of the 2022 campaign but had little impact. His last active season was in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles. The last two touchdowns of his career came in a Dec. 31, 2023, loss to the Arizona Cardinals, each of them thrown by Jalen Hurts.
With his last games being played in 2023 he will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2028. As a member of the Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team, it’s hard to imagine Jones not being inducted into those hallowed halls. Congratulations to Julio Jones on a stellar career and we wish you a happy retirement!
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