Jalon Walker’s jersey number hints a Falcons legend won’t get the fairytale sendoff he deserves
Context:
The Atlanta Falcons have been busy during the offseason, primarily dealing with salary cap issues due to a significant contract with backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins' performance led to a losing streak, prompting a shift to Michael Penix Jr. who helped turn things around. In the draft, the Falcons focused on their defensive line and made history by selecting Jalon Walker from the University of Georgia in the first round. Walker will wear jersey number 11, previously worn by Falcons legend Julio Jones, whose recent retirement was marked by a sentimental announcement. Fans express disappointment over the team's decision to assign Jones's iconic number to Walker so soon, fearing it denies Jones the tribute of having his number retired as a legendary player for the Falcons.
Dive Deeper:
The Atlanta Falcons have been managing a challenging offseason constrained by salary cap limitations, largely attributed to the hefty $180 million contract of backup quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins' underwhelming performance, marked by a string of losses, contributed to the Falcons' struggles this past season.
After a promising start with a 6–3 record, the Falcons experienced a downturn as Cousins threw more interceptions than touchdowns, leading to his replacement by Michael Penix Jr., who helped stabilize the team's performance.
Focusing on the draft, the Falcons aimed to enhance their defensive line after a lackluster performance in generating sacks last season, selecting Jalon Walker from the University of Georgia, a significant pick as it was the first time the team selected a Georgia player in the first round.
Jalon Walker will don the No. 11 jersey, a number previously worn by Julio Jones, a Falcons legend who retired with impressive career stats including 848 receptions, 12,896 receiving yards, and 60 touchdowns, making him the greatest receiver in team history.
Jones's retirement came on an emotionally significant day known as '404 day,' dedicated to the city of Atlanta, but the manner of his departure and the quick reassignment of his number has left fans feeling he hasn't received the respectful sendoff they believe he deserves.
The decision to assign No. 11 to Walker has sparked debate among fans and sports commentators, with some arguing that the jersey number should have been retired or at least reserved longer to honor Jones's contributions to the team.
Hunter Cookston, a sportswriter with a deep-rooted passion for sports since childhood, covers the developments surrounding the Falcons and the reactions to the handling of Jones's legacy and the new prospects for the team.
The Atlanta Falcons have had a busy offseason, especially when it comes to deciding who to let go and who to keep. Unfortunately, they don’t have as much salary cap space as they would like—largely due to their backup quarterback, Kirk Cousins, who signed a $180 million deal just last year.
Cousins didn’t quite work out for Atlanta. After leading the team to a 6–3 start, the Falcons went on a losing streak, with much of the blame falling on Cousins for throwing more passes to the opposing team than his own. When Michael Penix Jr. took over, things began to shift.
This draft season, Atlanta prioritized strengthening the defensive line after a disappointing year in terms of sacks. The Falcons selected Georgia product Jalon Walker—marking the first time in franchise history that Atlanta drafted a player from the University of Georgia in the first round.
“This is the first time in franchise history that the Falcons have taken a University of Georgia player in the first round,” wrote Daniel Flick.
On Wednesday, the Falcons announced that Walker will wear jersey number 11 to start his career. That number carries significance, as it was previously worn by Falcons great Julio Jones, who recently retired on a sentimental date.
“I'm making this announcement today because of the city of Atlanta," Jones said. "Thank you, man. I appreciate y'all. It's nothing but love. I'm doing this on 404 day.”
Jones’s departure from Atlanta wasn’t exactly graceful, as he chose to make his exit more dramatic than it needed to be. Many fans are unhappy with Walker being assigned No. 11 so soon after Jones's retirement.
“Some will argue the Falcons should have retired No. 11, or at least not given it out quite so quickly. He was the greatest receiver in team history with 848 receptions, 12,896 receiving yards and 60 receiving touchdowns,” Charean Williams wrote.
This suggests the Falcons may not give Jones the fairytale ending fans had hoped for by retiring his number—a decision that many are shocked by.