Julio Jones is back to chase an elusive Super Bowl ring.
The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Tuesday that they have signed the seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro receiver. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Jones will initially join the team’s practice squad, but it is anticipated that he will be rapidly promoted to the 53-man roster once he acclimatizes.
Jones, at the age of 34, was a star player for the Atlanta Falcons during the first ten years of his career. He led the NFL in receiving yards on two occasions, with a staggering 1,871 yards achieved through 136 catches in 2015. The robust receiver was a powerful asset on the field in Atlanta, deftly covering vast distances and adept at securing the ball in crowded situations. He amassed 12,896 yards and made 848 catches in his initial decade of playing.
Injuries then began to strike. Jones has only managed to play 29 games over the past three seasons with three different teams because of injury problems.
The Falcons traded the star to Tennessee in June 2021. He played in 10 games, caught 31 passes for 434 yards, and scored a touchdown. Additionally, he made six catches for 62 yards in a playoff game.
Jones joined Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season and played in 10 games, making 24 catches for a total of 299 yards and two touchdowns. He last played for the Bucs in a 31-14 playoff defeat to Dallas, during which he caught seven passes, covering 74 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Now, the 6-foot-3 wideout rejoins former Titans teammate A.J. Brown in Philadelphia. With Brown and DeVonta Smith as Jalen Hurts‘ top targets, Jones can make music as a third fiddle in Philly.
The Eagles have struggled to find production from the third-receiver spot with Quez Watkins dealing with an injury. Through six games, Brown has amassed 672 yards and two TDs (including four straight contests over the 120-yard mark). Smith earned 334 yards and two scores. The Eagles’ next wideout is Olamide Zaccheaus (also a former Jones teammate in Atlanta), with four catches for 74 yards and a TD.
The question remains about how much energy Jones still has as he enters his 13th NFL season. Even if it’s merely a fraction of his usual capacity, taking a chance on him would be worthwhile for Philadelphia. It would also be valuable for Jones to pursue a Lombardi Trophy.
