Julio Jones joins Tom Brady and the Buccaneers: Reactions
Wide receiver Julio Jones, who played 10 seasons with the Falcons, now joins Tom Brady and former rivals in Tampa Bay. Not everyone is excited about it.
Julio Jones is coming back to the NFC South as he joins the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to give Tom Brady another receiving weapon. The Bucs lost Antonio Brown last season and Rob Gronkowski is definitely, 100 percent retiring. Then again, it’s not like they were lacking in talent - they still have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and newly signed Russell Gage. But Godwin is still recovering from an ACL injury and Jones adds even more talent to the mix.
With Jones, here is what the Tampa Bay receiver depth chart could look like:
- WR1: Mike Evans
- WR2: Chris Godwin
- WR3: Russell Gage
- WR4/5: Julio Jones
- WR4/5: Tyler Johnson
- WR6: Jaelon Darden
As always, there are some mixed reviews of the Bucs’ one-year signing of the seven-time Pro Bowler. When Jones played for the Atlanta Falcons, he was enemy number one for the Bucs, dominating them throughout his tenure. Over 16 games against the Buccaneers, Jones racked up the most receiving yards by any opponent with 1,841, tied for the most receptions with 114, and had the second-most touchdown catches with 11. Of course, teaming up with Brady now very well could be because both of them want that Super Bowl win, and think they can accomplish it together. Not everyone is convinced. Brady is 45, though no one seems naive enough to think that makes a difference in his play anymore. Jones is 33, though, and is coming off of an injury-laden season with the Tennessee Titans, so some are a bit more concerned about the difference he’ll actually make in Tampa. Here are some of the mixed reactions to Jones joining Brady and the Bucs.
Similar to the AB signing two years ago. Low risk, high reward and probably a 99.9999 percent chance that Jones doesn’t take off his shirt and pads during a game to quit on his team.
— Tom Chang (@RealNerdBlues) July 26, 2022
We certainly hope not. Once was enough.
Of course 🙄, didn't we learn from you Sherman last year. Dude has silly string for hammies.
— Joshua Garner 🇺🇸 🇳🇱 🇬🇧 🇪🇸✌️ (@chefgarner1) July 26, 2022
Julio, given his current state and the current state of the Bucs WR room, doesn’t/shouldn’t make the 53 man roster.
— The Ghost of Ellis (@ghost_ellis) July 26, 2022
If he’s healthy (big IF), he gives us a big matchup problem with Godwin/Gage & Evans on the field.
— Slim Dunkin’ (@killerkad0o0gan) July 26, 2022
Excited. Regardless of what others thought, we needed depth in the receiving game. That was magnified especially when Gronk retired. #GoBucs
— Will in the Midwest #GlazersIn #GoBucs (@bigjoker612) July 26, 2022
Issues at WR (injuries and whatever the hell happened to AB) prevented this team from going to the SB last year.
— Matt Broo (@MBrooESQ) July 26, 2022
Can never have too many weapons.
I’m hoping it works out but the guys body is falling apart, he’s surely going to have a reduced role you can’t depend on him playing full games. This will be the ultimate test for the TB12 method
— jake milpool (@OGbeardedjake) July 26, 2022
I'm not entirely thrilled. He's aging out a bit, isn't he? He's been dinged up the last couple seasons as well, right?
— Witty Librarian For Ukraine (@PaulWartenberg) July 26, 2022
Both true statements, yes.
Can he use Godwin’s hamstrings while he recovers his ACL?
— J D (@Rumrunner11) July 26, 2022
The Buc Killer has joined up with us it’s incredible story !!!
— Jmone ⭕️ (@jarroyo30) July 26, 2022
Great signing. Best WR corps in the league
— Jan de Kok (@kokkie81) July 26, 2022
Can't stop smiling!
— Tobias Starke (@tst1860) July 26, 2022
Even if he just gives us 9 or 10 games and around 50% of the snaps he'll be a huge factor on and off the field and makes us better then any other option on the FA market.
Our 4 WR sets are a f...king cheatcode 😍
— Andrew Hill (@s0viet_afr0) July 26, 2022
