Atlanta Falcons: Terry Fontenot is testing fans allegiance too early

Atlanta Falcons general manager is on the verge of making a lasting mark on the franchise and that may not be a good thing.

When Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank hired Terry Fontenot as the next franchise general manager, he gave the longtime New Orleans Saints employee carte blanche to do whatever he felt was necessary in order to turn the franchise into a contender.

Blank even said publicly that while he wanted future Hall of Famers Matt Ryan and Julio Jones to be Falcons for life, but he also said that this would ultimately be up to the guys he hired to steer the ship in the right direction.

Terry Fontenot has not earned the trust of Atlanta Falcons fans

Stating that Fontenot hasn’t earned our trust yet, isn’t a hot take, it’s factual – he has not had time to earn anything yet. While some are highly upset that he let guys like Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee walk for what seems like pennies, those moves weren’t exactly out of left field.

As mad as some were at those moves, they were equally happy with bringing running back Mike Davis home and adding All-Pro return specialist Cordelle Patterson to the roster.

If he trades Julio post-June 1st in order to save millions, there will be a large section of the fan base calling for his head and that is something that he has to be ready for. It’s one thing for a player to leave on their own for more money or a better coach, but trading a fan favorite never goes over well in any sport and especially not in Atlanta.

Given the history of the franchise, we haven’t had a lot of nice things or great outcomes.

Julio Jones is a guy that every fan – regardless of color, economic standing, or part of the state they call home – loves. He leaves it all on the field every day and has represented the franchise and fans as well as any player in franchise history.

Not to mention, Julio leads by example every week whether he ended up with 60 yards or 300, he was spectacular every week and even in down times, gave us something to look forward to.

Every general manager and coach wants to make their mark on a franchise but trading Julio will guarantee a spot in franchise history that nothing less a Super Bowl victory would have him remembered favorably.