The Atlanta Falcons will not give in to All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones' demand to renegotiate his contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider.
Per his team sources, Rapoport said the Falcons were not willing to renegotiate a deal with three years remaining in his contract. However, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Falcons promised Jones in June that they will work on a new deal after the 2018 season.
Jones signed a five-year deal worth $71.25 million with the Falcons in 2015, keeping him with the team through the 2020 season. Jones is expected to earn a base salary of $10.5 million for the 2018 season.
When asked by TMZ Sports recently about his relationship with the Falcons, Jones' short reply was "we're good."
Falcons To Prioritize Players With Expiring Deals
With three years remaining in his contract, the Falcons want to put premium on extensions for players entering the final year of their deals. The Falcons are expected to sign defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, offensive tackle Jake Matthews, and safety Ricardo Allen, according to Rapoport. In the summer, the Falcons signed quarterback Matt Ryan to a five-year, $150 million deal, with a guaranteed money of $100 million.
With this latest development, it has yet to be seen if Jones will attend training camp. Falcons veterans are expected to report to camp on July 26. Jones skipped offseason workouts in the hope of pressuring the Falcons to give in to his contract demand.
According to Rapoport, Jones has remained in communication with the Falcons, but he has yet to inform the team about his future plans. Recently, Jones attended Ryan's passing camp, a good indication that he might attend training camp.
Jones' Contract Ranks Fifth In Total Value
However, Jones might push for a renegotiation, especially with the signing of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks to a five-year, $80 million contract extension. With Cooks' signing, Jones' contract now ranks fifth in total value, ninth in average value, and sixth in 2018 base value, per Spotrac.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wideout Mike Evans leads the pack with his $82.5 million deal, Houston Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins ranked second with his $81 million deal, Cooks is third while Jarvis Landry of the Cleveland Browns is fourth with his $75.5 million contract.
Since he was selected sixth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Falcons out of Alabama, Jones made it to five Pro Bowl invitations and earned two first-team All-Pro selections.
Last season, the 29-year-old Jones caught 88 passes for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. In his career, Jones has 585 receptions for 9,054 yards and 43 touchdowns.
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