Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones did not attend the start of the team’s OTAs as he waits for a new deal. And it seems as if the Falcons are anticipating that Jones sits out the remainder of the team’s voluntary practices.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Falcons coach Dan Quinn said the team doesn’t expect Jones back with the team until their mandatory minicamp in June.
“I know the topic of Mr. Julio Jones is on a number of people’s mind,” Quinn said. “I want to let you know that Julio and I speak regularly. I was fully aware that he wasn’t going to be here for the start of the offseason program and I was also aware that he wasn’t going to be here this past Monday.”
Jones has three years left on his current five-year, $71.2 million deal. But he’s dropped down to being just the eighth-highest paid receiver in the league after some other wideouts got paid, which is likely why he’s now angling for a new deal.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank doesn’t seem too concerned about Jones’ contract situation, though. He recently said Jones will be with the Falcons franchise “forever,” which likely means he’s willing to pay up.
It took some time, but the Falcons eventually got a deal done to make quarterback Matt Ryan the highest paid player in the league. And while it may result in sitting out voluntary practice, Jones may eventually get the big new deal he wants as well.
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