Patriots: Why Bill Belichick was right to pass on Julio Jones

The New England Patriots were speculated as a potential destination for Julio Jones during the early stages of the trade saga, and it’s easy to see why.

Not only did the Falcons superstar want to land on a contending team, but he was also reportedly looking to play with a big-armed quarterback. On top of that, rumors hinted that the idea of catching passes from Cam Newton resonated with Jones.

When the dust settled, however, the Patriots came up short and Jones landed with the Titans, a contender in the AFC that just became a whole lot better. While most Patriots fans are heartbroken by the news, there’s reason to believe the sky isn’t falling.

For starters, New England has established a knack for trading for receivers and it hasn’t always worked out for them, at least not recently. Not only that, but Jones’ huge contract likely complicated things for Bill Belichick and Co.

Here’s why Bill Belichick was smart to pass on Julio Jones.

As we know, Belichick doesn’t bend easy in trade negotiations. We get the sense the Patriots’ front office set their evaluation of Jones and assumed that the Falcons would eat some of his contract once his price tag ballooned into two draft picks.

Once it was reported that Tennessee would be inheriting Jones’ $15.3 million fully guaranteed salary for next season and the entirety of his remaining contract, however, you can’t help but speculate that the Patriots pulled themselves out of the running.

Getting beyond that, there’s great risk that comes with trading for an aging WR who’s on a massive contract. Though Jones is still arguably at the peak of his powers, he turned 32 this offseason and was limited to just nine games last year due to a hamstring issue.

It just always feels like Jones is battling some sort of ailment, whether it be a foot, ankle or hamstring. While the two-time All-Pro has been able to play through those injuries during his career, 2020 proved that not even he is capable of out-running Father Time.

Let’s put it this way. Jones has played 135 games (not including playoffs) over his 10 seasons, during which he’s registered 848 catches for 12,896 yards and 60 touchdowns. Think about how many times Jones has been tackled and how much mileage is on his legs.

We know Jones is a freak athlete, but even the all-time greats break down later on in their respective careers. When you consider that with how much money Jones is owed over the next three seasons ($38.3 million), the risks simply outweighed the rewards.

However, don’t be tricked into thinking Belichick won’t trade for another receiver in the near future. The de facto GM’s reported interest in Jones alone proves he knows the Patriots need a bonafide No. 1 wideout to complete their offensive overhaul. Just be patient.

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