The Atlanta Falcons were hoping to have the best wide receiving tandem in the NFL in 2013. With Roddy White and Julio Jones running side-by-side, the Falcons offense looked like it would be unstoppable. However, both players got injured and that dream never panned out. With both players in need of new contracts, the Falcons have no intention of abandoning the plan to keep Jones and White together for a long time.
White was never able to truly get his 2013 season going. The receiver suffered a high-ankle sprain in the preseason and never fully recovered. Pair that injury with a hamstring issue and White was barely seen on the field, much less seen being productive.
A nine-year veteran, White is entering the final year of his contract, set to earn $6.3 million in 2014. The Falcons have no intentions of letting him hit the free agent market next year where he will be one of the most sought-after players. The two sides have slowly started negotiations and White intends to sign something that will allow him to retire a member of the Falcons.
"I do want to stay here for the rest of my career," White said, via the Atlanta Falcons team website. "It's been really good these nine years. We're working to try to get something done. They want me to be here, I want to be here, so let's make it happen."
White put up a quiet 63 catches for 711 yards and three touchdowns in the 13 games he was able to play. It was the first year that he was unable to play a full season, breaking his impressive streak of consecutive starts. If White does play his entire career in Atlanta, he will complete his goal of being the franchise's best receiver. He will have amassed enough receiving yards and receptions to be the all-time leader in Atlanta. He is two touchdowns away from owning that record as well.
The Falcons will need to be smart when it comes to White's contract. The receiver predicts he might have three or four seasons left in him. He does not believe he can replicate what kind of "ironman" career Tony Gonzalez had, but he sees himself playing a few more years at least.
The Falcons will be smart when it comes to deciding his price. The team has to also start thinking of a contract extension for Julio Jones who will be in need of a new deal and is expected to receive top money. A longer contract for White could help with salary cap tightness.