The Atlanta Falcons were able to come to terms on a four-year, $68 million deal with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. It seems they have now switched their focus to the ongoing negotiations with wide receiver Julio Jones.
Both sides have not been shy about expressing their desire to get a deal done. According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, it still may take some time for it to happen:
With DT Grady Jarrett locked up for the next four years, the Falcons will turn their attention to a deal with WR Julio Jones. That might take a while, I’m told, but it’s now their most pressing priority. Jones has said publicly he believes in owner Arthur Blank getting it done.
Jones made it clear that he would like a new contract despite there being two years and upwards of $21 million left on his current deal. Many assume that both sides would ideally come to terms before the start of training camp, however, Rapoport's update indicates they may need more time.
Despite being widely considered one of the NFL's few elite wideouts, he falls outside of the top-10 of highest-paid players at his position. Fortunately, he will have a number of benchmarks to go by after Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown set the bar with their lucrative deals.
Jones is not the only one looking to get paid this offseason, as Atlanta must also find a way to get linebacker Deion Jones taken care of as well.
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