The Chargers, Ravens could sign NFL legend free agent Julio Jones to a contract this season. According to one source, the veteran wideout is still looking for an opportunity in the league again after spending most of his career with the Atlanta Falcons. Originally selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Jones was one of the greatest receivers in the Matt Ryan era, earning two first-team, three second-team and seven Pro Bowl nods for all nine seasons with the team. He amassed the most receiving yards by any player entering the NFL while having a rare size of his height for a wideout and leaping abilities similar to Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.
However, the veteran became a journeyman after a trade to the Tennessee Titans where he tried to wipe off the dust to be a stellar athlete under quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Jones never made first impressions after struggling to off on a fast foot and getting into a scuffle with Byron Murphy. He went on the IR with a hamstring injury while working alongside A.J. Brown but worked his way back to the lineup in the postseason that year in the divisional round of the Bengals. It wasn’t enough for the Titans to extend him any further so he went on to join forces with Tom Brady in 2022 for one more Super Bowl run before Brady’s retirement.
Due to injuries, Jones was never able to make a viable case for the Philadelphia Eagles last season after suffering several injuries. However, he could easily become reliable for a few more years before he hangs up his cleats to win a Super Bowl with a roster.
Chargers, Ravens Could Sign NFL Legend Free Agent Julio Jones
Los Angeles Nostalgia
The Los Angeles Chargers had a few struggles walking into the 2024 campaign with a lack of pass catchers despite having plenty of wide receivers. However, Jim Harbaugh never saw an issue as he has a strong emphasis on the ground game rather than improving the vision for Justin Herbert. Luckily for Herbert, the offense has been reliant on the passing game so Herbert has been able to throw the ball consistently and more often than what they were doing earlier this year. Top receiver Quentin Johnston is showing a couple of flashes but it’s never enough to intrigue the coaching staff that he’ll stick around with the Chargers beyond this season.
While Harbaugh says Herbert isn’t going anywhere, he should get one more consistent playmaker like rookie Ladd McConkey who is constructing himself as an elusive weapon for the slot position. Joshua Palmer is still a great option for Herbert but they could have one more weapon to pull him ahead of the AFC competition. Jones may not be the same player anymore but he’s shown he still has the hands to move the chains. He and Harbaugh have been in the league long enough so the chemistry would already be there so it could be pure nostalgia.
Possible Diontae Johnson Replacement
The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of issues to navigate before the postseason after looking like the team to beat at the beginning of the year. They have a heavy pass rush but it never compensated for the inconsistency they’re suffering from the pass catchers. Diontae Johnson was brought in at the same time as the Chiefs got DeAndre Hopkins before the trade deadline. However, in terms of the AFC competition, it seems like Kansas City has the leverage over the Ravens if these two teams meet in the playoffs.
Julio Jones won’t outperform Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman or Nelson Agholor but he’s easily a better catcher than what Johnson has been able to do. There are too many issues with Johnson since they’re suspending him so they could sign Jones on a two-year deal to see if his playmaking abilities could work for Lamar Jackson to throw the football.
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