Atlanta Falcons’ wide receiver Julio Jones is one of the best in the game at his position, so it’s natural that he wants to be paid accordingly. Jones has been demanding a sizable extension for some time now, and it looks like Falcons finally decided to do something about it.
Atlanta’s general manager Thomas Dimitroff recently talked with reporters about the status of extension talks with Jones and said that the two sides recently “had really good conversations.”
“We’ll continue to talk with both Julio and his representation,” – said Dimitroff on Wednesday. “We’ve have had really good conversations with them. There is no particular time on that. I’m not concerned about it, nor is he. We’ll get that figured out.”
Julio Jones tried to get a new deal in 2018 by sitting out the team’s OTAs, but Falcons didn’t cave. Still, they did some restructuring in order to pay him more money last year while promising they will start the contract discussions in 2019. Jones is currently slated to earn $9.6 million in 2019 and $11.426 million in 2020 under his old contract.
These are low numbers compared to the figures that other top receivers are earning at this point. Oakland Raiders’ Antonio Brown recently reworked his contract and now will get $16,7 million per year while Cleveland Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr. is getting $18 million annually.
“I know there is interest because of everything that’s going on with all of the receivers in the league,” Dimitroff said. “There are big numbers (being) talked about and a big situation there. Look, we feel good with our communications there.”
Although Atlanta Falcons didn’t have a successful season in 2018, Julio Jones still managed to put out absurd numbers. He ended the year with 133 receptions for 1,677 yards and eight touchdowns. Jones also earned his sixth Pro Bowl appearance while receiving Second-team All-Pro honors.
