It was just a year ago that Julio Jones re-negotiated his existing contract with the Atlanta Falcons, increasing his 2018 salary by nearly $3 million to avoid a potential holdout. One problem: That raise came from his scheduled salary for this upcoming season, meaning he's currently set to play at a number hardly indicative of his status as perhaps the best wide receiver in football.
Discussions between Jones, his agent, and the Falcons about a new long-term contract have been ongoing throughout the offseason, though, and with training camp fast approaching, the six-time Pro Bowler feels confident Atlanta owner Arthur Blank will live up to his word.
“Everything's going good right now,” Jones told TMZ Sports. “I'm doing my part at the end of the day – just training every day, being ready, being prepared for the season. My agent, the Falcons, Mr. Blank… I've said it before, Mr. Blank gave us his word. That's gold. His word is it's gonna get done. There's no stress on my end about it. He makes it easy for me to just go out and work every day, and not have one of those situations where there's a holdout or anything like that.”
Julio Jones is reportedly seeking a contract that will pay him close to $20 million annually. He's scheduled to receive just below $10 million this season on his existing contract, well below the salary numbers of receivers of his caliber like the Oakland Raiders' Antonio Brown and Cleveland Browns' Odell Beckham Jr.
The 30-year-old had 113 catches for 1,677 yards and eight touchdowns last season, earning Second Team All-Pro.
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