Things appeared to crack quickly between the Falcons and Julio Jones during the offseason. While new general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith were transparent about their intention to keep things open with the future of the roster, it meant they were, at times, unable to commit to answering the two biggest questions facing the franchise:
What is to be done with (1) Matt Ryan, and (2) Julio Jones?
Both were given the “Falcons for life” designation by team owner Arthur Blank only a few seasons back. The two, rightfully assumed to be a package deal, were the key to whether the Falcons would look at a rebuild across the next few seasons or a retool with the hope of competing in 2021.