Matt Ryan admits Julio Jones trade talk has been 'difficult'

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan admitted that all of the trade talk around star wide receiver Julio Jones has been "difficult." The two have played together on the Falcons for a decade and put up remarkable numbers, with Jones earning seven Pro Bowl nods and Ryan taking home a league MVP.  

"The reality is because of his level of success he's had in his career, this is a major story," Ryan said on "The Athletic Football Show." "But within your locker room, this is constantly happening to guys where you're not sure how long they're going to be there."

While there were rumors about Jones and Atlanta parting ways this offseason, the receiver shocked everyone when he told Shannon Sharpe during a phone call that aired on "Undisputed" that he was done playing in Atlanta. 

"It's difficult," Ryan said of the trade rumors. "It's the part of the job that sucks, but you have to just stay in pocket of focusing on we're all here right now, and we all got to focus on what we're going to do together right now."

Jones was drafted by the team in 2011, and he and Ryan established themselves as one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in NFL history. Through 10 seasons, Jones has been to seven Pro Bowls and been a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection and a three-time Second-Team All-Pro selection.