Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Tight-Lipped on Julio Jones Status With the Team

May 25, 2021

Rick Nyman,

ATLANTA (AP) – The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap. Rookie coach Arthur Smith was tight-lipped about the Falcons’ options. But he insisted that he doesn’t begrudge Jones for speaking his mind. There’s been plenty of questions about the seven-time Pro Bowler who has starred for the Falcons over the past decade. Jones brought the situation to a head in a brief interview on FS1, telling host Shannon Sharpe that he’s “outta there.”

<Reporter:”Could you still foresee a scenario with everything that has happened that Julio Jones could still play for you?”
Smith:”Like I said. We’ve had multiple private conversations with players. They remain private. I’m not going to publicly comment on any potential roster moves.”
Reporter:”You said you have a plan going forward. Is Julio part of that plan?”
Smith:”Anytime you are in this business, you have to have multiple plans. We understand what our cap situation is, and we’ve got multiple plans.”