Julio Jones is entering the third season of a five-year, $71.25MM contract, but the All-Pro wide receiver wants the Falcons to make an adjustment to his deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).
Jones is set to earn $10.5MM in base salary this season, and minimal guarantees remain on this deal. The 29-year-old wideout is not expected to be with his team for the start of OTAs, Rapoport reports. He’s been training on his own in Alabama throughout the offseason.
The Falcons do not view Jones’ absence from their voluntary workouts as a major issue, per Rapoport, and are also amenable to adjusting Jones’ deal. Jones is set to earn base salaries of $12.5MM and $11.43MM in 2019 and ’20, respectively. The per-year value of his deal ($14.25MM) has plummeted, and receivers with lesser pedigrees like Sammy Watkins, Jarvis Landry and Davante Adams are now signed to bigger deals.
This does not look to be an acrimonious situation, with Atlanta brass being strong Jones supporters. The Falcons’ top weapon has stacked together four straight seasons of 1,400-plus receiving yards, and from 2013-16, Jones averaged more than 100 air yards per game.
After giving Matt Ryan a record extension, the Falcons possess just more than $5MM in cap space entering OTAs, which begin Monday.
Show him the money!
He’s 29?! I thought he was younger
He’s been in the league since 2011.
Pay the man!
Step carefully here Atlanta….you cave to him and expect every other player who has a good year to do the same since you’ve shown the precedence to do so.
I’m sure they will put your advice to good use
How dare I have an opinion on a message board! Sorry chief.
Well, every other player with four straight extraordinary years. “One good year,” that’s nothin’.
88 catches and 3 touchdowns does not warrant an upgraded contract. If the Falcons redo his deal, give him bonuses for touchdowns.
Work a deal with Incentives accordingly to TD’s, receiving yardage , and stay out of trouble or his contract gets nullified entirely . He can also have a bonus if he reaches PRO Bowl status as a WR. don’t just give him the money cuz he asked for it .