The Philadelphia Eagles made a major move Tuesday afternoon, as the team announced that it has signed veteran All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones to a one-year deal.
We've signed WR Julio Jones. pic.twitter.com/yMxM3tId9p
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 17, 2023
Jones, who has played just 29 games with three teams over the past three seasons because of injuries, will join a wide receiver room that includes AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. The Eagles recently placed Quez Watkins (hamstring) on injured reserve and worked out WRs Marquez Callaway and Dezmon Patton on Monday, reports ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. But in the end, they turned their attention to the 34-year-old Jones, who will no doubt boost an already talented wide receiver corps.
The news of a 5-1 team adding a former All-Pro player midseason, and one who is likely past his prime, was met with mixed reactions, as you might expect. The NFL world was quick to react to the massive Philadelphia Eagles announcement.
Last Season Julio Jones ranks among 163 qualifying WRs
Yards/route run: 1.4 (101st)
EPA per target: 0.16 (61st)Quez Watkins this season and where that ranks last year:
Yards/route run: 0.3 (163rd)
EPA per target: -0.23 (153rd)Julio Jones is a major upgrade on Quez Watkins,… https://t.co/j53H6Z45hF
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) October 17, 2023
DeVonta Smith always has referenced Julio Jones as one of the wide receivers he enjoys studying. A.J. Brown, a former teammate, boasts a strong relationship with Julio.
Quite the addition to the Eagles’ WR room. https://t.co/5ROfvlFGTp
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) October 17, 2023
Worth it purely for how cool he's going to look in the uniform. https://t.co/tpENsxQnck
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) October 17, 2023
Julio’s finally going to catch some TDs at the Linc pic.twitter.com/MwCIwLcl17 https://t.co/eEMGy1DzIR
— Jeff McDevitt (@JeffMcDev) October 17, 2023
Great signing. Perfect for depth and can contribute when needed #Eagles https://t.co/B6BbmEBgNn
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) October 17, 2023
Uh, with all due respect to the Eagles and their very smart front office, what on earth does Julio have left in him? https://t.co/TXoouAzxzU
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) October 17, 2023
Well that’s quite a WR3. #Eagles gearing up for this daunting run of opponents. https://t.co/NOR6iSiBoK
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) October 17, 2023
Julio after trying to keep up with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith pic.twitter.com/4oXdjXKHY3
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) October 17, 2023
The #Eagles have signed Julio Jones, another chance at ending his career the right way. https://t.co/WWdQ8bZ0hb
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 17, 2023
The commitment to elite aesthetics does not go unnoticed. https://t.co/ifrtJetnu7
— NFL Fashion Advice (@fashion_nfl) October 17, 2023
Jones, who spent nearly a decade in Atlanta (2011-20) is likely a future Hall of Famer. The 34-year-old has hauled in a career 903 receptions for 13,629 yards with 63 touchdowns. He spent the past two seasons with the Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers but remained an unrestricted free agent until Tuesday.
His 13,629 receiving yards are the most of any active player in the NFL.
[Philadelphia Eagles on Twitter]
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.