Why the LA Chargers are the most likely landing spot for Julio Jones
By Jason Reed
Why the LA Chargers are more likely to get Julio Jones than the Indianapolis Colts:
Two words: Carson Wentz.
In theory, the Colts should be wanting to surround Wentz with as many weapons as possible. The team has committed to him as the new starting quarterback and they have to assume they are going to get a version of Wentz that is closer to the 2018 Wentz than it is the 2020 Wentz.
Him potentially being bad is not going to stop the team from trading for Julio Jones. If anything, that would accelerate the process to try and make Wentz a better quarterback. The reason why Wentz holds them back is the trade for him.
The Colts traded a conditional pick in the 2021 NFL Draft that will either be a second or first-round pick depending on Wentz’s production in 2020. Wentz has to play either 75% of the snaps in 2021 or 70% of the snaps AND make the playoffs for the pick to transfer to a first-rounder for the Philadelphia Eagles.
That is likely going to happen.
Regardless of it is a first or second-round pick, that closes the door for the Falcons to trade with the Colts. Not only are the Colts going to be hesitant to trade both the first two picks in the draft, but the Falcons would have to be going along with these conditions as well and will not fully know what they are getting for Jones.
I would be shocked if Atlanta accepts a deal for a first or second-round pick in 2023 when they are going to have offers from other teams for picks in 2022.