A few weeks ago, Atlanta Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones become the center of attention after his decision to make some notable moves to his social media accounts. The team has since voiced no concern about that situation or his standing with them for the long haul.
However, Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network is reporting that the 29-year-old isn't expected to be in attendance at voluntary organized team activities that begin next week.
From Up to the Minute Live: #Falcons WR Julio Jones is among those not expected to be at OTAs, sources say, after being in and out last year. He also wants an update to his contract. Considering the kind of teammate he is, it sounds like the team is willing to consider it. pic.twitter.com/PulYkczo57
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 18, 2018
Jones is currently in the third year of his five-year, $71.2 million deal that has roughly $39.2 million remaining on the deal.
He is coming off yet another highly productive campaign where he finished with on 88 receptions for 1,444 receiving yards, which marked the fifth time in his career that he has posted at least 1,000 receiving yards. He had also joined Roddy White (six) as the only players in team history to have at least five seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
He is still performing at an extremely high level that should warrant him some consideration to receive a pay raise as he's currently the eighth highest-paid player at his position for the 2018 campaign. This has seen several players over the last few months receive more lucrative annual salaries such as Sammy Watkins, DaVante Adams, Mike Evans, and Jarvis Landry.
Jones has been in the league longer than each of these players while playing at an elite level over the entirety of his career. There doesn't appear to be any concern from the Falcons, but it may just come down to the team showing their star wideout a bit more appreciation with a slight increase in his salary.
If the team is able to handle this in a timely matter, it should quickly become a non-issue this offseason around the franchise to keep one of their key cornerstone players happy.
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