New Info Says Julio Jones Could Be On The Table For The Bears

The Chicago Bears face a lot of questions going into 2021. Especially on the offensive side. Mitch Trubisky will be a free agent. So will star receiver Allen Robinson. It feels like the team will have a hard time keeping one of them. Let alone both. If they're committed to going one more year with Trubisky, odds are Robinson will be gone. This would put the passing game in an awkward position with no #1 receiver. If that ends up being the case, would the Bears consider a bold trade for Julio Jones? The seven-time Pro Bowler turns 32 next year. Despite the age, he's still shown signs that he is every bit the dominant force he's been for the past decade. If not for a nagging hamstring issue costing him a few games, he'd likely be locking up his seventh-consecutive season over 1,000 yards. He's also averaged 15.1 yards per reception, so his trademark speed is still there.

Would the Bears consider this move if Robinson is out?

That is difficult to answer given the fluid situation with the Atlanta Falcons. After firing head coach Dan Quinn and GM Thomas Dimitroff, the organization is hunting for a new power structure. What nobody knows is whether that new GM will have designs on moving on from mainstays Jones and Matt Ryan. According to Jeff Schultz and Tori McElhaney of The Athletic, Falcons team president Rich McKay made it clear that possibility is on the table provided there is a clear plan of action.

As for the future of Ryan and Jones, both of whom punctuate the Falcons’ salary cap problems, McKay acknowledged that the next GM may prefer to rebuild the roster without one or both of the centerpieces of the team’s offense. When asked how he would respond if a job candidate wants to move on from Ryan or Jones, McKay said: “Give us a plan. Show us what you want to do and show us why. Show us how this gets us to Ws and make sure you actually execute the plan.”

While Ryan might be another guy fans have an interest in, his contract makes it nearly impossible. Jones is at least more reasonable from a financial perspective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARh7zcrfdM4&ab_channel=NFL

Julio Jones could be had for a decent price

So what kind of cost would the Bears be looking at. Jones' contract numbers are as follows. He is under control through 2023. That's good news. The bad news is his deal carries a heft $23.05 million cap hit next year. Considering Chicago will be right up against the projected $176 million cap next offseason, this creates a problem. That is unless recent reports are true and the league ends up keeping the cap at around $195 million thanks to optimism over TV revenue and outgoing COVID-19 vaccines. Were that to happen, a deal for Jones becomes far more feasible. All the Bears would have to do is rearrange their books a bit to make it work. The question then becomes compensation for the Falcons. As stated earlier, Julio Jones turns 32 next year. He's also suffering a bit of a down season due to health setbacks. This could end up working out in the Bears' favor, keeping his price lower.

Odds are it wouldn't cost more than a 2nd round pick.

Antonio Brown was 31 when the Steelers traded him last year and coming off a 1200-yard season with 15 touchdowns. He went for 3rd and 5th round picks. Though his well-known attitude problems played a part in that. The reality is players in their 30s, even great ones, never go for 1st round picks. A 2nd rounder is likely the max for Jones at this stage of his career. If Chicago isn't confident they can secure somebody better, this is a deal they should at least consider.