Tennessee Titans: 3 Reasons Why Julio Jones Makes Sense for the Titans

At the end of the day, both franchises got what they were looking for. Atlanta, who is a team possibly looking to rebuild, received solid value from a 32-year old receiver. A second-round pick next year gives the Falcons the possibility to find a stud prospect next offseason. As for the Titans, they improve a position that was in dire need of help. Tennessee has put themselves in a fantastic position to make some noise in the next few years. With that said, here are three reasons why Julio Jones to the Titans makes sense.

Tennesse Titans Acquisition of Julio Jones

A New Era in Tennessee

For years, this team was looked at as a “poverty franchise.” The front office was never aggressive, the organization kept drafting bust after bust, and the Titans failed to make the playoffs year after year. However, everything changed in 2016 when the Tennessee Titans hired Jon Robinson as the new general manager. Since being hired, the Titans have finished with a winning record every year and finally won the AFC South Division Championship in 2020.

After being the butt of the joke in the NFL, the Tennessee Titans have emerged as legit players in the league. The old Titans are now gone, and the new Titans have completely taken over. The acquisition of Julio Jones proves the Titans are no longer willing to be bottom feeders in the league, as the front office has made smart, aggressive moves to improve the roster. This trade for Jones, coupled with the multiple moves in free agency to bring in Bud Dupree, Janoris Jenkins, and Denico Autry on the defense, the Titans should be taken seriously from here on out.

Titans Now Have the Best Offense in the League

Last year, the Tennessee Titans finished with the third-best offense in the NFL. It was mainly led by Derrick Henry, who ran for over 2,000 yards and was the catalyst of the Titans’ offense. Additionally, AJ Brown and Corey Davis combined for over 2,000 receiving yards while Ryan Tannehill proved to be one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league. On top of that, the Titans’ offensive line is arguably the best in football, and they didn’t even have Taylor Lewan for most of last season.

That was before the front office acquired Julio Jones via trade. Sure, they lost offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as he took the head coaching job in Atlanta, but this offense is set up to be much better than they were in 2020. AJ Brown and Julio Jones both demand double-teaming, while Derrick Henry forces defenses to load the box. Simply put, opposing defenses just don’t have enough players on the field to slow down the Titans’ offense. With Lewan coming back to the starting lineup and the front office drafting Dillon Radunz to improve the right tackle spot, we’re looking at an elite offense in Nashville.

Legitimate Super Bowl Contenders

The Tennessee Titans made a spectacular playoff run in 2019, only to fall short a year later. The moves made this offseason show the Titans are not willing to just be a playoff contender, but they’re aiming to be Super Bowl contenders instead. The offense is even better than they were in 2020 and the front office vastly improved the defense as well. The roster is stacking up to be one of the best on paper, and now the team has to prove it in 2021. 

In addition to the multiple roster changes, the Titans coaching staff has some new faces too. Todd Downing was named as the new offensive coordinator. He aims to maintain a similar playbook that brought the Titans success last year, so there shouldn’t be a drop-off in production. He has plenty to work with as the roster makes his job a bit easier.

Shane Bowen was promoted to defensive coordinator, which isn’t too exciting considering how bad the defense was last year. However, the front office brought Jim Schwartz back to the coaching staff as a defensive assistant. The last time Schwartz worked for the Titans, Tennessee’s defense was one of the best in the league. He’ll be serving as a mentor for Bowen, which means we should see some improvements on that end.

Julio Jones makes the Titans offense elite, while the improvements to the defense should at least put them in the middle of the pack (which would be a massive step forward compared to last year). Tennessee is in a Super Bowl window for at least the next two years after picking up Julio Jones. With that said, good luck to the rest of the league.

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