Bucs sign Julio Jones to 1-year deal reportedly worth up to $8M
Seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced Wednesday.
The wideout's contract contains a base salary of $6 million and a maximum value of $8 million, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Jones generated interest from multiple teams this offseason after being released by the Tennessee Titans in March, including the Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, according to Schefter.
The 33-year-old is already familiar with the NFC South, having played his first 10 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. The Alabama product, whom Atlanta drafted sixth overall in 2011, led the league in receiving twice from 2011-20 en route to becoming the Falcons' all-time leader in catches (848) and receiving yards (12,896). He also caught 60 touchdowns with Atlanta.
Jones' average of 91.9 receiving yards per game is the best in NFL history. He's also posted 59 100-yard games throughout his career, the third-most of all time behind Jerry Rice (76) and Randy Moss (64).
The Falcons traded Jones to the Titans last year for a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-rounder. He appeared in only 10 games with Tennessee, missing time with hamstring injuries for a second consecutive season. Jones finished the 2021 campaign with 31 catches, 434 yards, and one touchdown.
The Bucs already have one of the NFL's best offenses with Tom Brady under center. Jones adds to a deep group of wide receivers that features Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, Tyler Johnson, and Scotty Miller, among others.
Godwin has been cleared to begin training camp after suffering a torn ACL in December, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. However, Tampa Bay won't rush his return, ESPN's Jenna Laine reports.
The Buccaneers, who lost Rob Gronkowski to retirement this year, also roster tight ends Cameron Brate, Kyle Rudolph, and rookie Cade Otton.