Falcons GM discusses Jones: 'You have to listen if people call on any player'
The Atlanta Falcons have been receiving trade interest for Julio Jones, and the team apparently is open to listening to offers for the star wide receiver.
When asked about Monday's report that multiple clubs are chasing the seven-time Pro Bowler, new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Atlanta isn't in a position to dismiss any possible moves because of its salary cap issues.
"That's one of those things that when you're doing things the right way in an organization, you have to listen if people call on any player," Fontenot told Justin Felder of Fox 5 Sports. "Especially, we are in a difficult cap situation. That's just the circumstance. It's not a surprise for us. We knew the circumstance we were in.
"Our administration has done an excellent job up to this point, getting us in position to be able to manage the cap. Yet, we still have more work to do. So, when teams call about any players, then we have to listen, and we have to weigh it, and we have to determine what's best for the organization, and we have to handle everything with class."
The NFC South team is 29th in available cap space with just over $2.4 million after restructuring the deals of quarterback Matt Ryan and linebacker Deion Jones earlier in the offseason, according to Spotrac.
The Falcons will need to make further restructures, cuts, or trades in order to sign their rookie class.
Atlanta would reportedly have to wait until after June 1 to trade Jones for cap-related reasons. Parting ways with the wideout following June 1 would allow the team to spread his remaining bonus over two campaigns, creating $15.3 million in cap space in 2021 and pushing $15.5 million in dead money to 2022.
"Obviously, that particular player we hold him in high regard," said Fontenot. "He's special, what he's done and what he continues to do here, but we have to consider any players if it's right for the team because we have to do what's best for this organization."
Jones is Atlanta's all-time leader in catches (848) and yards (12,896) and has twice led the NFL in receiving in 2015 (1,871) and 2018 (1,677). But he played in just nine games in 2020, his fewest since 2013, and produced his lowest yards per game mark (85.7) since his sophomore year in 2012.
It was reported earlier this offseason that the Falcons intended to keep both Jones and Ryan, with the team eager to see how the duo fares under new head coach Arthur Smith.