Falcons' Arthur Smith: Julio Jones trade was a 'win-win'

Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith doesn't believe there was a losing side in the blockbuster trade that saw Julio Jones sent to the Tennessee Titans.

Smith supported his stance by pointing to the financial relief from the deal.

"We knew the issue with the cap and then obviously the cap went down this year, coming off the bizarre year, dealing with the pandemic, the cap actually shrunk. So we knew there were going to be some big decisions we would have to make coming up," Smith said during an appearance on The Cris Collinsworth Podcast.

"The way everything worked out, we feel pretty good. We feel like it was a win-win. With the salary cap, and Julio going to Tennessee and us right now being able to solve our short-term issue with the cap."

The Falcons freed up $15.3 million in cap space with Jones' departure, which gave them room to sign their 2021 draft class. They also received a 2022 second-round pick and a 2023 fourth-round selection in exchange for the wideout and a 2023 sixth-rounder.

Jones was drafted sixth overall by the Falcons in 2011 and spent 10 seasons with the club. The 32-year-old launched into stardom during his stay in Atlanta, recording 848 receptions and 12,896 receiving yards while also earning seven Pro Bowl nods.

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