According to ESPN Falcons writer Vaughn McClure, Julio Jones and the Atlanta Falcons have begun negotiating a long-term extension. Jones has one-year left on his deal that will make him $10.176 million this upcoming season. With top wide receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas receiving $14 million a year, Jones’ contract should be around the same amount. Jones has not made this a problem whatsoever with the team, as he stated on June 17, “My teammates need me. I’m being selfish if I’m not here and doing what I need to do.”
Jones and his agent will likely find a way to keep him in Atlanta for a number of years. He seems to have grown accustomed to the environment here, and having a top-tier quarterback in Matt Ryan isn’t so bad either. Today, Jones was asked if a deal would be reached soon, and he stated, “I haven’t talked to the Falcons. My agent and the Falcons obviously have been talking. I haven’t been talking. I talked to DQ (Dan Quinn) earlier. Me and him are on the same page. He just needs me to be the leader I am and to continue to keep working hard and take care of what I can take care of.”
Jones is a top-five wide receiver in the NFL and will be rewarded from his incredible play. Not only does his amazing play reward himself, but it rewards his teammates. He takes pressure off of his fellow wide receivers, as he has to play through double-teams majority of the snaps he’s in. Jones had 104 receptions on 156 targets, while totaling 1593 receiving yards His 104 receptions was a career-high for Jones, and his 1593 receiving yards set a new Falcons franchise record. Look for a new deal between the star and the Atlanta Falcons to come before the 2015 season begins.