Patriots: Julio Jones’ connection to Cam Newton doesn’t make much sense

Julio Jones’ friendship with Cam Newton could help get him onto the New England Patriots.

Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones could be dealt to the New England Patriots and catch passes from Cam Newton.

NBS Sports Boston’s Michael Holley reports Jones is frustrated with the Falcons and wants to be traded out of town. He would supposed welcome playing with his fellow 2011 NFL Draft classmate Newton in Foxborough. They spent their first nine seasons competing against each other in NFC South play when Newton was the franchise quarterback of the Carolina Panthers.

While New England is a team very much in play to trade for Jones, should we buy into this at all?

New England Patriots: Julio Jones would want to play with Cam Newton

Though you cannot deny how bad the Falcons played in the final three years of the Dan Quinn era in Flowery Branch, you have to really question the validity of if Newton is a better quarterback than Matt Ryan at this time because he absolutely is not. Holley says Ryan lacks the arm strength to connect on a deep ball, but Newton no longer has a gun either. His arm is worse than Ryan’s.

Not to mention, who knows how long Newton has left as the Patriots’ starter? New England selected Mac Jones in the first round of the NFL Draft for a reason.

So if Jones wants to leave the Falcons after 10 seasons and play for New England, that is really up to Bill Belichick and Terry Fontenot striking a deal. Jones would fit in phenomenally in The Patriot Way, as he played for Belichick disciple Nick Saban in college at Alabama. New England is more likely to reach the NFL Playoffs this season over Atlanta. Plus, the Falcons are in salary cap hell.

However, Atlanta’s asking price for Jones will be absurdly high, just like the reported price it had on the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Then again, Belichick has no earthly idea what he is doing when it comes to drafting players, so a first-round pick the Falcons’ way could mean nothing to him. Jones to New England could happen, but we are really overblowing the Newton connection.

Jones may win more in New England, but Newton isn’t an upgrade over Ryan, so don’t kid yourself.