NFL News: Former Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts teammate retires after 13 seasons without a Super Bowl ring

Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts were both fortunate—albeit briefly—to share the field with one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history, a player who set over 20 NFL records and multiple franchise marks during a 13-season career that officially came to an end with his recent retirement announcement.

That player is Julio Jones, who walks away from the game without ever winning a Super Bowl ring, despite an impressive résumé that includes seven Pro Bowl selections. Jones spent his final two NFL seasons with Brady’s Buccaneers and Jalen Hurts’ Eagles.

After remaining unsigned for the 2024 season, speculation grew that Jones would soon retire. That moment came recently, when he posted a 2-minute and 49-second video on the social media app “Squad,” officially announcing his decision.

“Today, I’m announcing my retirement… I started when I was 8 years old… It was an amazing ride. I’d like to thank my family—through this whole process, they were my support system. Without them, none of this could’ve been possible,” Jones said in the early part of his farewell message.

Gratitude for his teammates

Jones expressed deep appreciation for his teammates throughout his journey, starting from his high school days. He highlighted a key mentor who helped him transition from running back to wide receiver, a move that proved pivotal to his career. He also gave a special shoutout to Alabama coach Nick Saban, calling him a “father figure for me.”

In his farewell video, Jones mentioned several of his former Falcons teammates and others, but he made no direct reference to his time alongside Tom Brady or Jalen Hurts. He played with the Buccaneers in 2022, appearing in just 10 games, and with the Eagles in 2023, where he was active in 11 games.

Julio Jones leaves behind a lasting NFL legacy

Despite never capturing a Super Bowl title, Jones’s legacy is undeniable. He owns 24 NFL records, including being the fastest player to reach 13,000 career receiving yards (137 games), and the most receiving yards in a player’s first 125 games (12,047). With the Falcons alone, he set 18 franchise records.