The Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday that they have agreed to a five-year contract extension with wide receiver Julio Jones. The 26-year-old will receive $71.25 million throughout the deal, $47.5 million of which is guaranteed.
Jones stated in an interview his desire to be a Falcon for the rest of his career, saying that he had no doubt that this deal would get done.
The two-time Pro Bowler was in the final year of his contract and set to make $10.176 for the 2015 season. His new deal draws many similarities to the deal that Dez Bryant received from the Cowboys, and Demaryius Thomas received from the Broncos.
Contract talks between the two started back up Saturday morning after reportedly stalling last week. The team stated their intention to make Jones a "lifer" with the organization.
Jones set a franchise record with 1,593 receiving yards and a career-high 104 receptions in the 2014 campaign. He also led the NFL with 31 catches of 20-plus yards, despite missing one game with an oblique injury.
The Falcons' wideout has 278 catches for 4,330 yards, and 26 touchdowns in four seasons in the NFL. He also has a touchdown reception of 75+ yards in each of his first four seasons. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, a pick that the Falcons traded five picks for.
New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan plans to utilize Jones in multiple receiver roles, rather than just lining him up in the "X" role. No matter what role Atlanta wants him to play, Jones and the Falcons made the first big step in making the wide receiver a Falcon for life.
Jones stated in an interview his desire to be a Falcon for the rest of his career, saying that he had no doubt that this deal would get done.
The two-time Pro Bowler was in the final year of his contract and set to make $10.176 for the 2015 season. His new deal draws many similarities to the deal that Dez Bryant received from the Cowboys, and Demaryius Thomas received from the Broncos.
Contract talks between the two started back up Saturday morning after reportedly stalling last week. The team stated their intention to make Jones a "lifer" with the organization.
Jones set a franchise record with 1,593 receiving yards and a career-high 104 receptions in the 2014 campaign. He also led the NFL with 31 catches of 20-plus yards, despite missing one game with an oblique injury.
The Falcons' wideout has 278 catches for 4,330 yards, and 26 touchdowns in four seasons in the NFL. He also has a touchdown reception of 75+ yards in each of his first four seasons. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, a pick that the Falcons traded five picks for.
New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan plans to utilize Jones in multiple receiver roles, rather than just lining him up in the "X" role. No matter what role Atlanta wants him to play, Jones and the Falcons made the first big step in making the wide receiver a Falcon for life.
