What it could take for Seahawks to get Julio Jones

There has been a  very clear divide that has been established in the Seahawks fan base regarding the Julio Jones rumors. One side wants to maintain future assets to continue maintaining relevance. The other side is ready to go all-in for a 2-3 year Super Bowl window.

Neither side is wrong. However, the rumblings with the Seahawks, and more importantly, Russell Wilson’s push for the star wide receiver Julio Jones has brought the difference in ideology to the forefront.

Let’s break down the two sides thinking for Seahawks getting Julio Jones:

The argument against trading for Julio Jones:

• Russell Wilson may want out after 2021. Dumping more draft capital and salary into an aging star will make a rebuild increasingly difficult.
• Julio Jones won’t be a cheap acquisition. Both the draft capital and cap hit would hurt.
• Rumors have circled that Jones could ask for a new contract depending on where he is traded.
• Julio Jones has struggled with health. His hamstring has been an issue the last couple of years. He has played through the majority of the issue up until last year where he was sidelined for 7 games.
• Seattle just extended Tyler Lockett and used the first draft pick available to take another wide receiver in D’Wayne Eskridge. Trading for yet another receiver doesn’t make sense.
• If Seattle wants to make a splash move, going after a center, right tackle, or cornerback would be a better move.
• This would be the best wide receiver trio to play on the field and see a team run the ball 30 times a game.

The argument for trading for Julio Jones:

• Russell Wilson has openly been pushing for a strong wide receiver 3 for a couple of years now (AB, Josh Gordon, etc.). Maybe he knows something we do not?
• If Seattle and Russell Wilson truly are headed toward a split, the time to capitalize is now. Trading for a top 5 wide receiver would give Seattle arguably the best offense in the NFL.
• From what can be gathered with the new OC’s playbook, there will be a lot of 10-personnel/ 3 wide receiver sets. There will be no shortage of targets to be had.
• Julio Jones is still an elite wide receiver. In his last 16 games, he averaged 9.5 targets, 6.5 catches, 91 receiving yards, 67% catch rate, with average yards per catch of 14.3 per game.
• In a division with elite defenses everywhere, having an elite offense is something to differentiate as opposed to conforming.
• The Rams only have one Jalen Ramsey. Good luck stopping DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Julio Jones.

Regardless, there is no right answer. Seattle has never shied away from acquiring star talent. This off-season is one of their best in recent years. Let’s dive into who Julio Jones is then a potential trade.