How much does Julio Jones trade boost Panthers’ chances in 2021?

Have the chances of progression where the Carolina Panthers are concerned in 2021 improved following the Julio Jones trade?

The long-awaited day has finally arrived.

Julio Jones has been traded from the NFC South.

The Carolina Panthers can now rejoice after the All-Pro finally got his wish and was traded by the Atlanta Falcons to the Tennessee Titans in a move that sent shockwaves across the NFL. This came with minimal compensation considering the talent at Jones’ disposal, so providing the wide receiver can stay healthy, it could see his new team becoming leading Super Bowl contenders in 2021.

This might also give the Panthers plenty of reasons to be encouraged.

The former Alabama stud has forced Carolina over the best part of a decade with some electrifying performances and not having to come up against him twice a season is a relief for the organization and the fanbase alike.

Jones’ career stats against the Panthers are nothing short of outstanding.

• 16 games
• 89 receptions
• 1,527 receiving yards
• 17.2 yards per reception
• 6 touchdowns
• 68 first downs

The Falcons do have Calvin Ridley and first-round pick Kyle Pitts to call upon in the passing game. But things will be a lot easier to gameplan where Carolina is concerned without the threat of Jones.

Nobody associated with the Panthers will miss Jones. But whether this will directly impact their chances of progression in 2021 is another matter entirely.

Have the Carolina Panthers’ chances improved following Julio Jones trade?

The Panthers find themselves in an NFC South division that now boasts the defending Super Bowl champions. Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went on a memorable postseason run that eventually ended with the Vince Lombardi Trophy and despite the financial challenges every NFL team faced this offseason, they managed to keep every single starter on the books.

It would be a huge shock if the Bucs didn’t make another bold bid next time around and they are clear favorites to claim a divisional crown after Drew Brees retired from leading the New Orleans Saints.

Sean Payton’s men are facing a crossroads campaign after dealing with some salary-cap turmoil this offseason. So it remains to be seen whether they can be the same force during the regular season we’ve seen in recent years.

There is an opportunity here for the Panthers, providing everything clicks into place right away.

They have plenty of dynamic young weapons on both sides of the football that are on the come-up, which cannot be said for most teams in the NFC South.

Much more will be expected with a stable preparation period in the second year of Matt Rhule’s reign, although it’s probably going to depend on whether quarterback Sam Darnold can realize his potential following his trade from the New York Jets.

Atlanta trading Jones certainly gives the Panthers a better chance of gaining two divisional victories that could make all the difference in terms of securing a surprise postseason spot when it’s all said and done.

If Jones stays healthy and Tennessee’s defense lives up to their end of the bargain, they are going to take some stopping.

But thankfully, the wideout is no longer Carolina’s problem.

And everyone should be thankful for that.