Report: Why The Patriots Didn’t Trade For Julio Jones

Many NFL analysts thought that the New England Patriots would trade for Julio Jones. The elite wide receiver makes a good fit for the Patriots. Head coach Bill Belichick knows how to collect the right guys at the right time. Julian Edelman retired in the offseason and Belichick can easily select a veteran to lead his receivers. However, he signed a bunch of talented guys in free agency and made a splash in the 2021 NFL Draft. He didn’t need Jones, right?

The Patriots didn’t even try to get the star wideout. Jones is signing with the Tennessee Titans. The Atlanta Falcons traded him to the Titans earlier today and also added a sixth-round draft choice. They are getting a second-round and fourth-round pick. Tennessee will pay all of the remaining salary on the receiver’s deal. It expires following the 2023 NFL season.

The New England Patriots didn’t get Julio Jones for a reason

Jeff Howe from The Athletic reported that the Patriots decided not to pursue Jones because of the compensation. I guess Belichick didn’t like the way things developed and took a different route.

“I believe the Patriots had some initial interest in Julio Jones very early in the process, but the price point was going to have to change, either with trade compensation or the Falcons eating money,” Howe wrote on Twitter. “It didn’t, and they moved on.”

New England has spent a lot of money on free agent wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. Belichick went wild in the offseason. He also added veteran Marvin Hall last week. The Patriots head coach won’t really do much business at this point. He has enough receivers and he also has Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.

Jones has a “nice” price tag and a long history of injuries. Belichick didn’t take the risk and shut down every rumor related to Jones. The 32-year-old will try his chances with the Titans and Belichick is fine with that. He is busy rebuilding his roster and testing his quarterbacks. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones will challenge Cam Newton, and Jarrett Stidham is trying to make a point, too.