7-time Pro Bowler Julio Jones retires
Seven-time Pro Bowler and former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones announced his retirement Friday.
Jones was one of the most dominant playmakers in the NFL at the peak of his career. The 36-year-old led the league in receiving yards on two occasions with 1,871 yards in 2015 and 1,677 yards in 2018. His 136 receptions in 2015 were also the most of any player that season.
Drafted sixth overall by the Falcons in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Alabama product set numerous franchise records during his 10-year stay with the team. Jones' 848 receptions and 12,896 receiving yards rank first in the franchise's history.
The wideout also played a huge part in Atlanta's run to Super Bowl LI. He caught 19 passes for 334 receiving yards and three touchdowns across three playoff games during the 2016 postseason. Atlanta's road ended with a defeat to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Jones' best contest as a pro came in 2016 when he hit 300 receiving yards against the Carolina Panthers, becoming one of only six players ever to tally 300-plus yards in a game. He's also the only player in NFL history to have three games of 250-plus receiving yards.
Jones also became the fastest player in NFL history to eclipse 10,000 career receiving yards, needing only 104 games. The previous record was held by former Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson, who needed 115 games.
Jones last appeared in the NFL in 2023 with the Philadelphia Eagles. After leaving Atlanta following the 2020 campaign, he spent 2021 with the Tennessee Titans and 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He finished his career with 914 catches, 66 touchdowns, and 13,703 yards, good enough for 16th most in NFL history.