Today, the Atlanta Falcons told star wide-receiver Julio Jones they will not renegotiate his contract. The news was first reported by Jeff Schultz of The Athletic.
Jones enters the third year of a five-year, $71.25 million contract extension signed in 2015, which lasts through the 2020 season. With Jones under contract for three more seasons — and the team able to wield the franchise tag for two subsequent years — the Falcons are prioritizing extensions for players entering the final year of their contracts: DT Grady Jarrett, OT Jake Matthews and safety Ricardo Allen. The team is $6 million under the salary cap.
Currently, Jones is slated to make $10.5 million in 2018. However, he is the eighth highest paid player at his position, which was a point of contention within his camp. Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans (five years, $82.5 million), Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry (five years, $75-million) and Kansas City’s Sammy Watkins (three years, $48 million). In addition, the Los Angeles Rams gave Brandin Cooks (five years, $80 million) this week. It was a long shot the team would be open to renegotiate his deal with three years remaining. It is unknown if Jones will stay away from training camp beginning next Friday at Flowery Branch (players must report Thursday, July 26th).
