Just a week after Antonio Brown received the richest wide receiver contract in NFL history, attention has turned to who may break the record next. And many fingers are pointing to Julio Jones.
Following last summer's sit out that caused the Atlanta Falcons to rework the star wide receiver's 2018 contract, reports suggest the team is working on a new contract with Jones. As it stands, the two-time All-Pro is set to earn $9.6 million in 2019, and $11.4 million in 2020.
“We’ll continue to talk with both Julio and his representation,” general manager Thomas Dimitroff said Wednesday (21 March): “We 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.”
There has been an upswing in price for top-tier receiving talent since Jones signed his current five-year deal in 2015. Brown signed a three year deal worth $16.7 million per year last week - per Pro Football Talk - and Odell Beckham Jr and Tyreek Hill are expected to top that figure imminently. It might help the Falcons if they lock Jones down before that happens.
“I know there is interest because of everything that’s going on with all of the receivers in the league,” Dimitroff said: “Obviously, there are big numbers [being] talked about and a big situation there. We feel good with our communications there.”
The 30-years-old Jones led all NFL receivers with 1,677 yards in 2018. A six-time Pro Bowler, he has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL for the majority of his career.
Whether the Falcons can find a way to pay him like it - and at a manageable price for the franchise - is to be seen.
COVER PHOTO: Sporting News
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