Despite the Saints striking first with their Michael Thomas extension nearly a month ago, the Falcons and their No. 1 wide receiver remain in talks. Jones has been unhappy with his deal for many months, missing workouts in the 2018 and ’19 offseasons. While he is tethered to the extension he signed in 2015 — now 13th in AAV — Jones reported to camp and continues to be Atlanta’s top priority.
The Falcons, who extended Deion Jones and Grady Jarrett in July, want to have their 30-year-old superstar signed by Week 1. But Arthur Blank is not certain that will happen.
“I would hope so, but I don’t know that,” Blank said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, of an extension being finalized within the next two weeks. “We’ll have to let things take their course. I know that we are definitely in serious negotiations. It’s our goal and their goal as well to get it done before the start of the season.”
Jones’ agent, Jimmy Sexton, met with Falcons brass last week. Despite Jones’ production and Hall of Fame trajectory, this process may be a bit more complicated because of where the 2011 first-rounder is in his career. This will be Jones’ age-30 season; he is older than all but two of the wideouts (Antonio Brown and A.J. Green) who currently out-earn him. Jones is almost certain not to sign for anything less than Thomas received.
“The negotiations continue to move along in a positive way,” Blank said, reiterating he wants Jones to finish his career in Atlanta. “It’s a big contract and it’s complex and what have you. It takes a little more time than we’d like. Probably a little more time than he would like, but I know we are in a good place.”
Greedo Jones of the Falcons strikes again.
Yeah, it’s outrageous that a future Hall of Famer expects to be rewarded. Maybe Blank should say “Sorry Julio, we want to see if we can go another 50 years without winning a championship”.
Cause you’ve never wanted a pay raise.
He signed the contract, play for it. He was rewarded 3 years ago. They aren’t winning one if he plays to 50.
Question is will the Falcons really pay him more than Thomas’ extension?
Yea that’s literally what the article said he’s not signing until he gets more than him
Trade Jones while Atlanta can. There’s no way a team can win with that much money invested in two or three players. Or let him play out his option.
Unlike running backs, top notch receivers can remain in pro-bowl form until their middle thirties, but they start to lose a step around 32. Art Monk had his last big season at age 34. Jerry Rice managed to have his last big season at age 38 although after 33 his yards per season started to bounce up and down. This included a 78 yard 1997 season and Rice never approached 1500 yards in a season again.