In what has to be good news for the Atlanta Falcons, All-Universe wide receiver Julio Jones has publicly stated he will not hold out for a new contract and will report to camp. Jones told TMZ that he trusts Falcons owner Arthur Blank to keep his word.
“Mr. Blank gave us his word,” Jones said. ” … That’s golden. His word is that it’s going to get done … There’s no stress on my end. I’m not thinking about it.”
It’s a significant vote of confidence from Jones and Blank better not waste it. Last season he missed a few workouts before the team gave him a raise that didn’t affect their salary cap. The star wide receiver has two years left on his current contract and is due to make $9.6 million in 2019 and $11.426 million in 2020.
Jones is one of the biggest stars in the NFL and one the Falcons desperately need to keep on the field. Last season he led the league with 1,677 receiving yards and yards per game with 104.8. He caught 113 passes and eight touchdowns. If Jones isn’t the best pass-catcher in the league, he’s in the top three.
Over the last five seasons, Jones has never caught fewer than 83 passes and never racked up fewer than 1,409 yards.
“(Blank) makes it easy for me to go out and just work every day and not have one of those situations where there’s a holdout or anything like that,” Jones said.
Currently Jones is the 12th highest paid receiver in the NFL, behind players like Jarvis Landry, Devante Adams, Stefon Diggs and Sammy Watkins. Currently Odell Beckham Jr. is the NFL’s highest paid wideout, making $18 million a year with the Cleveland Browns. It’s likely that Jones’ new deal will eclipse his.
Blank has made it clear anytime someone puts a microphone near his mouth that Jones will be a Falcon for life. That’s smart. Now he’s got to make it happen with his checkbook.
