Ryan: 'I don't know' what Falcons offense would look like without Jones
Matt Ryan isn't ready for NFL life without Julio Jones just yet.
Ryan noted how crucial the star pass-catcher is to his success amid recent reports the Atlanta Falcons received calls from teams inquiring about Jones and the team's willingness to do a potential deal.
"I don't know (what Atlanta's offense would look like without Jones)," the veteran quarterback said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "He's probably impacted my career more significantly than any other player."
The franchise can't trade Jones before June 1 due to salary-cap reasons, as it would allow the Falcons to spread his remaining bonus money over two years. Atlanta could be thinking to the future under new head coach Arthur Smith with young weapons Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, Kyle Pitts, and Hayden Hurst already on the roster.
Ryan noted he isn't involved in the business side of football but will never hesitate to support his top wideout.
"From a player standpoint, he's my teammate," he said, per Rothstein. "He's my guy."
Ryan and Jones have been one of the NFL's top offensive duos since the latter entered the league in 2011. The two have a combined three First-Team All-Pro selections and 11 Pro Bowls, with the veteran passer capturing MVP in 2016.
The Falcons are coming off a disappointing 4-12 season in which Jones missed seven games due to a lingering hamstring injury.