Contract negotiations between the Atlanta Falcons and Julio Jones have been ongoing throughout the offseason, but with the team's Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings looming, a new deal is yet to be signed. And now, there's at least a possibility he won't play in the 2019 NFL season opener.
Jones said that he wants to be out on the field Sunday but he “doesn't know” if he'll play without a new deal, per Falcons team reporter Kelsey Conway.
This is not the news fantasy football owners were hoping to hear, as well as the Falcons going into what should be a tough opener in Minnesota. Matt Ryan only has one touchdown combined in his last two starts against Mike Zimmer defenses, and it won't be any easier if Jones isn't on the field.
After starting the 2018 season with a touchdown-less streak that lasted into November, Jones finished with the fifth-most fantasy points of any receiver, and he was a top pick again in 2019. Hopefully his words on Thursday will provide some urgency for the Falcons organization to get the deal done.
After missing the playoffs in 2018, the Falcons are a popular pick to get back to the dance in 2019. In a stacked NFC, it won't be easy, especially with Football Outsiders projecting Atlanta to have the seventh toughest schedule in the NFL.
After facing the Vikings to start the season, the Falcons have another tough test at home against a fully healthy Philadelphia Eagles squad. Given the strength of their division and the conference overall, an 0-2 start could be detrimental, making the need to get Jones' new deal inked that much more important.
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