NFL Weekend Update: Julio Jones Trade, Aaron Rodgers Hold Out, & More

Here's just some of what's going on right now in the NFL.

Julio Jones begins a new chapter with Titans

Last weekend, the Julio Jones trade saga concluded when the star receiver was shipped to the Titans. Jones, who has spent all ten years of his career with the Falcons, will now join a team in Tennessee that has made the postseason in three of the last four seasons, including an AFC Championship appearance in 2020.

The big question with Julio is how he is going to fit with a team that relies a ton on running back Derrick Henry, who ran for over 2,000 yards last year, as well as third-year receiver A.J. Brown who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards. However, in his opening news conference, after the trade became official, Jones was open to whatever new role he may have.

"At the end of the day, you want to create a winning culture. However, you need to do it; you have to get the job done," said Jones via the Zoom conference. "My whole career, I've never been a stat guy. I'm a team guy. Whatever they need from me, I'm going to do, and I will enjoy playing my role at a high level."

In 135 career games, Jones has close to 13,000 receiving yards with 60 touchdowns. Even this past season, where he was limited to just nine games, the 32-year old still reeled in three TDs and 771 yards.

Aaron Rodgers still holding out

Over a month after news broke about Aaron Rodgers wanting out of Green Bay, the star quarterback stood firm and held out during the Packers' mandatory minicamp. The news isn't a surprise to the many people who believe Rodgers has played his final game for the franchise.

Rodgers, 37, has made it clear to the team that he does not want to return to the team. Meanwhile, the Packers have made it clear that they are committed to Rodgers both for the 2021 season and going forward.

"As we've stated since the season ended, we are committed to Aaron in 2021 and beyond," Packers GM Brian Gutekunst told reporters. "Aaron has been a vital part of our success, and we look forward to competing for another championship with him leading our team."

Gutekunst is perhaps the biggest reason for Rodgers' unhappiness, as reports say he would only come back if the GM was fired. Some have speculated whether it's due to the selection of QB Jordan Love in the first round of the 2020 draft or whether it's due to a trade request that was never met; however, both tie back to Gutekunst.

Speaking of Love, the second-year man took the brunt of the work during Green Bay's OTA's. Love took 26 out of 31 snaps during Thursday's 11-on-11 drills, with veteran Blake Bortles getting two and Kurt Benkert getting three. The Packers also signed Jake Dolegala, giving them five quarterbacks on the depth chart.

Joseph announces retirement

Cornerback Johnathan Joseph took to social media on Thursday to announce his retirement from the NFL, ending his 15-year career.

"In the summer of 2006, I signed my first NFL contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Fifteen years later, I can say I accomplished my childhood goal of making it to the NFL. I will never forget as a kid telling my father I wanted to be in the NFL," Joseph wrote on Twitter.

Joseph was a first-round pick by the Bengals in 2006, spending his first five years in Cincinnati. He then went on to sign a lucrative free-agent deal with the Texans, playing in Houston all the way through 2019. Then this past season, he split time between the Titans and Cardinals.

Joseph, 37, finishes his career with 32 interceptions and seven defensive touchdowns. He also made two Pro Bowls and was twice named second-team All-Pro.