Julio Jones is already making a significant impact on the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receivers. Within the confines of the NovaCare Complex locker room, Jones is often seen conversing and sharing laughter with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Their interactions draw smiles and camaraderie, revealing a side of Jones that contrasts with his reserved and quiet public demeanor. As Brown puts it with a grin, “Oh, he’s a clown. He’s a jokester; he enjoys himself. He always adds great energy, too. From the outside world, you may think he’s very quiet – but he’s a big kid.”
In just three practices with the team, Jones has left a noticeable mark on the Eagles. Despite having faced injuries that somewhat diminished his former self, the 34-year-old future Hall of Famer is now embarking on a fresh start with Philadelphia.
Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Eagles’ wide receiver group, a team without a single player on the active roster over 26 years old. Among the active wideouts, A.J. Brown’s five NFL seasons share the most experience with Olamide Zaccheaus.
In Brown’s words, “From the vet’s standpoint, I was the oldest vet in the room. But now that you have someone here who’s a Hall of Fame receiver, he can really just tell you anything and everything. They’re going to believe him more than me! He’s seen it all. If you don’t listen to him, you’re stupid. I’m just going to call it what it is.”
Jones and Brown have a shared history in Tennessee, having played together during the 2021 season before going their separate ways. The Titans traded Brown to the Eagles and opted not to re-sign Jones, who subsequently joined the Buccaneers.
Although Brown played no role in Jones’s arrival in Philadelphia, he acknowledges that the way he plays today is heavily influenced by watching Jones dominate on the field. Before even talking to Jones, Brown says he learned everything he knew by studying Jones’s game. The impact was so profound that it transformed Brown from someone hesitant to play the game to a formidable force on the field.
Jones, in turn, sees elements of himself in Brown, and their connection extends beyond football. As Jones describes Brown, he highlights his exceptional talent, physical attributes, and the way he approaches the game and life. Their bond is not limited to their football careers; it transcends into personal connections.
Without Jones’s influence, Brown might have pursued a career in baseball instead of football, potentially charting a Hall of Fame path in another sport. The Eagles are undoubtedly reaping the benefits of Brown’s decision to pursue football and now have the player who played a pivotal role in shaping Brown’s NFL career.
The Eagles are optimistic that Jones, despite an altered role in the offense, can still make a significant impact. His debut is eagerly awaited as the Eagles prepare to face the 5-1 Miami Dolphins. Jones has been elevated from the practice squad and will be active for the game, as confirmed by CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
