Atlanta Falcons

The Titans sent a 2022 second-round draft pick as well as a 2023 fourth-round selection to the Atlanta Falcons to get Jones and a 2023 sixth-round pick in return.

Jones had been connected with a number of NFL franchises after expressing his desire to leave the Falcons – who struggled to a 4-12 record in 2020 – after 10 successful seasons.

He will now team up with Pro Bowler Brown to catch passes from quarterback Tannehill on a Titans team that also contains Offensive Player of the Year running back Derrick Henry.

"I looked at my phone, and my daughter was laying next to me and I jumped out of bed, and said, 'Is this really real?' I kind of woke my daughter up," Brown – who has said Jones has inspired his journey to the NFL – said about the moment he found out a deal had been done.

"I had to calm down for a little bit. When I got the news, it was kind of crazy. My phone started blowing up. 

"I think this is really huge for Tennessee, not just for me, but this is huge for the city, our team. We are glad to have him.

"The city right now is electric, [fans] are pumped to get a guy like Julio Jones on the team. I think the team loves it, guys are reaching out. I think everyone is really pleased with it."

Jones has topped the NFL for receiving yards twice in his career (2015 and 2018), making the Pro Bowl on seven occasions.

While injuries limited him to nine games and 771 yards in 2020 and he turned 32 this year, the Titans hope Jones can still produce elite play that will help them launch a Super Bowl run.

"It is wild," said Tannehill. "I am excited, I am fired up. I didn't know if it was going to happen or not, and was kind of along for the ride like everybody else. My agent called me and said it was going to happen.

"I am excited. How could you not be excited to play for a guy with the calibre of talent Julio is and has been for his whole career? 

"I am excited to get to know him as a person and welcome him to the team."

Titans general manager Jon Robinson insists Jones will play the team game in pursuit of success despite his illustrious individual achievements.

"In my discussion with Julio, what's his number one goal, it wasn't about [receiving] targets, it wasn't about that, his goal is to win," he said.

"That's the mindset we're looking for, whether that's nine targets, whether that's two targets or no targets. Contribute to winning the football game – that's the mindset he has and that's the mindset we have as a football team.

"He's big, he's fast, he's tough, he's great with the ball in his hands, willing blocker. 

"A lot of the things we ask of our receivers, it's get open, catch and block. He certainly checks those boxes and has done it at a high level for a lot of years in the National Football League."

The Titans have had five straight winning seasons, reaching the AFC Championship game in 2019 before going 11-5 to win the AFC South last year, only to lose to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wildcard round.

With Jones joining Tannehill, Brown and Henry, hopes are high for a deep postseason run.

"We don't set expectations," added Robinson. "Everybody has a chance to go the distance and win the thing. 

"Ultimately, it's our job to try to put a team out there that's going to be competitive, that's going to play stylistically the way that we want to play and I'm excited about this team."

Fields has broken out over the past couple of months, establishing himself as the Bears' quarterback of the future, but it is yet to translate to wins.

After only throwing a touchdown pass in one of Chicago's first four games, Fields has now thrown a touchdown pass in each of their past seven fixtures, going 1-6 in that stretch.

It is hardly Fields' fault, with the defense conceding an average of 35.5 points per game across their past four outings, while Fields has also broken the record for rushing yards from a quarterback in a single regular season game (178) and the record for most over a two-game span (325).

Attempting to come back from a late deficit against the Falcons, Fields told reporters he believes he landed on it awkwardly, forcing him to finish the game in pain.

"I don't know what happened, to be honest with you," he said. "I just landed on it, I think.

"I was hurting, but it was the last drive of the game. I tried to be there for my teammates and fight through the pain.

"The pain right now is pretty bad. I'll just take it day by day and see how it feels later in the week."

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus added they are expecting an update mid-week.

"We will have an update on Wednesday," he said. "We don't know what exactly it is, that's why we are going to take a look at it."

A stunning upset of the Los Angeles Rams gave the New York Jets their first victory of a campaign that had appeared destined to end in the ignominy of 0-16 and the first overall pick. 

It was a win likely celebrated in the front office of the Jacksonville Jaguars as much as in the locker room of the Jets, and also handed the Cincinnati Bengals a potential route to a second successive number one pick. 

But the Bengals decided there was one more shock in the offing on Monday, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 for only their third triumph of the year. 

According to Stats Perform data, no NFL team with nine fewer wins than their opponent had prevailed in such a matchup between 2012-19. The Jets and Bengals achieved that feat in back-to-back days, significantly influencing how the top of the draft will play out come April. 

Here we look at the top five as it stands with two weeks to go in the regular season.

Have the Jets cost themselves Trevor Lawrence? Touted as a generational prospect since his high school days, the Clemson star looks a lock to be the number one overall pick and the Jets' victory appears to have handed him to the Jags, who have a lower strength of schedule than New York, giving them the tiebreaker and the top choice.

2. New York Jets (1-13)

What now? There was fury among large sections of the Jets' fanbase at a costly victory in terms of draft position. All is not lost, however, as Ohio State's Justin Fields is an outstanding consolation prize, and will look to outperform Lawrence when they meet in the College Football Playoff semi-finals.

Their unlikely success has raised the question of the Jets sticking with former third overall pick Sam Darnold and putting more protection and weapons around him. A team with a litany of holes could even trade down and collect more picks. There's intrigue aplenty in the Big Apple now.

3. Cincinnati Bengals (3-10-1)

Had they not beaten the Steelers, the Bengals would have had at least a chance at the number one pick, though the odds of the Jags and Jets each winning their final two games are not great. Barring a winning streak to end the season, the Bengals appear locked into number three.

Unless the Jets make a surprise move, Oregon tackle Penei Sewell should be available at this spot to provide Joe Burrow with the improved protection he so desperately needs.

4. Carolina Panthers (4-10)

A lower strength of schedule gives the Panthers the tiebreaker over their NFC South rivals the Atlanta Falcons. 

Having fired general manager Marty Hurney this week, it is time for a reset in the Carolina front office. Head coach Matt Rhule has the team seemingly going in the right direction, but they are without a quarterback of the future. Assuming Fields is off the board, Zach Wilson of BYU and North Dakota State's Trey Lance loom as potential targets here.

5. Atlanta Falcons (4-10)

Speaking of resets, the Falcons will have a new general manager and head coach come the time of the draft, and it is not yet clear in which direction they will go. 

Quarterback would seem to be off the table with Matt Ryan tied to a lucrative contract, while edge rusher and cornerback stand as more pressing concerns. Miami pass rusher Gregory Rousseau is raw but possesses incredible athletic traits. Alabama's Patrick Surtain II, the son of a three-time Pro Bowler, looks to have gained the status of consensus top corner.

The decision to keep the 26-year-old is hardly a surprise after he led the NFL in rushing in 2019, finishing the regular season with 1,450 yards and 16 touchdowns as Tennessee made the playoffs.

Henry also played a pivotal role in their run to the AFC Championship Game, going for 182 and 195 yards respectively in upset road wins over the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens.

The Kansas City Chiefs ended their Super Bowl hopes, but the Titans have opted to retain the core of their offense.

They announced on Sunday that quarterback Ryan Tannehill has signed a four-year contract extension, a move that not only seemingly ends speculation linking them with Tom Brady but also cleared the way for them to use the tag on Henry.

While Henry is staying put, fellow running back Devonta Freeman is now a free agent after being released by the Atlanta Falcons.

Freeman recorded 1,000-yard seasons in 2015 and 2016 but has struggled since signing a five-year, $41.25million contract in 2017.

He played just two games in 2018 due to injury, while his final campaign with the Falcons saw him finish with a career-low average of 3.6 yards per carry as part of a rushing attack that struggled.

As well as Freeman, Atlanta are also cutting cornerback Desmond Trufant. The moves will save them just under $8.5m in cap space ahead of the 2020 season, which officially starts on Wednesday.

Just one day on from being cut by the Rams after five seasons and three Pro Bowl selections, the running back found a new home in a move that is pending a successful physical.

Gurley, 25, replaces Devonta Freeman, who was released by Atlanta this week, on a one-year contract, per widespread reports.

He will look to improve a Falcons rushing attack that ranked 30th in the NFL last season, averaging a paltry 85.1 yards per game.

The swift move from the Falcons came after they were among the teams linked with a trade for Gurley prior to his Rams departure.

Gurley had signed a four-year, $60million deal less than two years ago but the contract became an increasing burden and his hasty release came hours before $10.5m would have become guaranteed.

Signing for the Falcons is a homecoming for him after spending his college career at Georgia prior to being selected by the Rams as the number 10 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Gurley moved with the team from St Louis to Los Angeles and was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.

He helped the Rams to the Super Bowl in the following season, though his lack of usage in that defeat to the New England Patriots was a topic of much speculation.

Debate has surrounded the extent to which Gurley has been battling to overcome a knee injury and he leaves the Rams having managed 72 starts, 5,404 rushing yards and 70 all-purpose touchdowns.

Fellow Rams standouts Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey both indicated their displeasure with Gurley's release on social media.

The Falcons have also added pass rusher Dante Fowler and tight end Hayden Hurst, while Austin Hooper left in free agency and cornerback Desmond Trufant was released along with Freeman.

Elsewhere, the Dallas Cowboys have agreed a one-year deal with safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, while guard Stefen Wisniewski has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year contract.

The running back was cut by the Rams on March 19 and promptly signed on a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons in a homecoming move, having spent his college career with Georgia.

Gurley had signed a four-year, $60million deal with the Rams in 2018 but the contract became an increasing burden and his hasty release came hours before $10.5m would have become guaranteed.

The number 10 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft was Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and while his fortunes had dipped as he contended with a knee injury, the Rams' decision came as a surprise to the 25-year-old.

Gurley still took it in his stride, joking on social media about being fired on his day off.

"I didn't see it coming, but obviously I've seen the process over the years, so I understand the business and I understand how it goes,'' Gurley said, per ESPN.

"But I'm also the same type of person, when someone else is getting cut, I'm joking on them. So I can't get mad if somebody jokes on me. 

"I joke on myself all the time. If you knew me, you know that's me. And it's all jokes. It's some truth to every little joke but I'm still just having fun with it and that's the only thing I can do. 

"Stuck in the house all day. I know people are drinking and having fun, so I'm going to have fun with y'all."

Following his superb 2017 season, Gurley racked up 21 total touchdowns in 2018 as he helped the Rams to the Super Bowl.

But he was limited to five touches in the NFC Championship game and 11 in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, while in 2019 his 223 rushing attempts represented the lowest total in his NFL career.

Asked about his reduced role, Gurley added: "I don't know what happened. I try not to press the issue about nothing, I kind of just sit back and do my job.

"It's not my job to tell who to give me the ball, so if it happens, it happens. I'm not going to b***h about anything. 

"I'm just going to keep quiet and do my part. But when I get the ball, you know I'm going to do good with it for the most part, especially when stuff is going good. All I know is I'm with the Falcons now.''

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brady was held out of practice on Wednesday due to a shoulder complaint, having taken a hit in the Week 4 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.

But the 45-year-old said on Thursday of his shoulder: "It feels great. I'll be there Sunday."

Brady was never likely to miss a matchup with NFC South rivals Atlanta, who the Buccaneers have a 4-0 record against since signing the legendary QB.

The Falcons and the Bucs are tied in the standings at 2-2 this year, but Brady is 10-0 all-time against Atlanta.

This includes his remarkable Super Bowl LI win while with the New England Patriots and puts him one shy of the Super Bowl era record for the most wins by a QB against a single team without losing.

Should Brady guide the Bucs to another victory on Sunday, he will match John Elway's 11-0 return against the Patriots and Andrew Luck's perfect record against the Tennessee Titans.

Brady would then have the opportunity to own the record outright later in the season, as the Bucs play the Falcons again in Week 18.

Goldman informed the Falcons on Tuesday that he is retiring from the NFL.

The announcement came less than two weeks after the 28-year-old signed a $1.12million, one-year deal with Atlanta on July 6.

A second-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2015, Goldman spent his entire seven-year career with Chicago, which included opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.

He returned in 2021, playing in 14 games while totalling 22 tackles.

Over his career, Goldman appeared in 81 games with 73 starts, compiling 175 tackles with 13 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

Goldman had one year remaining on a four-year contract worth $42million before the Bears decided to release him on March 14.

The Falcons became the first team in NFL history to have back-to-back games in which they blew a 15-plus point fourth-quarter lead and lost, as per STATS, after Sunday's 30-26 defeat to the Chicago Bears.

Atlanta led 26-10 heading into the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but slipped to 0-3 to put the pressure on Quinn.

But Ryan, who completed 19 of 38 passes for 238 yards, a touchdown and an interception, said the players also needed to improve.

"We've got his back. We've got to play better as players and that's what you have to focus on," he said.

"When things aren't going good or going well, it's easy to look around and see what everybody else is doing or where everybody else is screwing up.

"The only way we're going to improve as a unit is if we all kind of look in the mirror and find ways to improve individually and make sure that we're the best version of ourselves individually when we go out there."

Ryan said he was frustrated after the Falcons also blew a 39-24 lead to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.

The QB lamented Atlanta's inability to get any momentum going in the fourth quarter against Chicago.

"We just needed to get into that first first down and we weren't able to do it. It's a credit to them," Ryan said.

"Chicago played well in that fourth quarter, they did a nice job, but we've got to find a way to get it done.

"We've got to find a way in one of those drives to get that first first down, get a little momentum going, put them on their heels a little bit and secure that ball game. We weren't able to do it."

Panthers running back D'Onta Foreman starred with 31 carries for 130 yards in rainy conditions, including a third-quarter touchdown to complete a seven-play 84-yard drive at Bank of America Stadium.

The Falcons, who slipped to 4-6, were well beaten throughout, yet got within one score with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter when QB Marcus Mariota found a wide open KhaDarel Hodge to make it 22-15. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo, who had made 71 consecutive extra points coming into the game, inexplicably missed the conversion, having spurned one earlier too.

Marquin Haynes sacked Mariota for the second time to end Atlanta's final drive, with Eddy Pineiro's 37-yard field goal padding out the margin.

Mariota made numerous unusual decisions throughout and was sacked five times. He completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 186 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, linking up with rookie Drake London for a third-quarter TD after trailing 13-3 at half-time.

Laviska Shenault Jr scored the only first-half touchdown, exploding down the sideline on a 41-yard run after P.J. Walker's swing pass.

Walker, who was preferred to Baker Mayfield, completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yards, highlighted by a 43-yarder to Terrace Marshall Jr, leading to Foreman's touchdown run in the third.

The win improved the Panthers to 3-7, with Wilks having presided over two wins from five games in interim charge.

Panthers running back D'Onta Foreman starred with 31 carries for 130 yards in rainy conditions, including a third-quarter touchdown to complete a seven-play 84-yard drive at Bank of America Stadium.

The Falcons, who slipped to 4-6, were well beaten throughout, yet got within one score with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter when QB Marcus Mariota found a wide open KhaDarel Hodge to make it 22-15. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo, who had made 71 consecutive extra points coming into the game, inexplicably missed the conversion, having spurned one earlier too.

Marquin Haynes sacked Mariota for the second time to end Atlanta's final drive, with Eddy Pineiro's 37-yard field goal padding out the margin.

Mariota made numerous unusual decisions throughout and was sacked five times. He completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 186 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, linking up with rookie Drake London for a third-quarter TD after trailing 13-3 at half-time.

Laviska Shenault Jr scored the only first-half touchdown, exploding down the sideline on a 41-yard run after P.J. Walker's swing pass.

Walker, who was preferred to Baker Mayfield, completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yards, highlighted by a 43-yarder to Terrace Marshall Jr, leading to Foreman's touchdown run in the third.

The win improved the Panthers to 3-7, with Wilks having presided over two wins from five games in interim charge.

Wilson suffered a right knee injury in the first quarter, buckling without contact as he scrambled out of the pocket trying to outrun a tackler.

The 23-year-old Jets QB fell, got up limping, before dropping to the turf again and exiting for the locker room.

Wilson had thrown an interception on the Jets' fifth play, finishing the game completing three of five passes for 23 yards.

The injury concern is to the same knee that he sustained a PCL sprain last season, causing him to miss four games.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh revealed Wilson would have an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury but said his ACL was "supposed to be intact".

The Jets have high hopes for their 2021 NFL Draft second pick, building their roster around him this offseason, having bolstered their offensive ranks with tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin and drafting wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall.

Wilson had a difficult rookie season with a 3-10 record, completing 213 of 383 attempts for nine touchdowns and 2,334 yards with 11 interceptions for a 55.6 completion rate.

There were other injury worries from Friday's preseason games with Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London hurting his right knee in their 27-23 win over the Detroit Lions.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell watched on in their clash with the Green Bay Packers after suffering a hamstring injury during their camp.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen, covering for Joe Burrow who is recovering from an appendectomy, was ruled out due to a concussion in their 36-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.