The Atlanta Falcons might not be on a deadline to sign Julio Jones to a new contract, but it can be assumed the team would like to get things done before players report to training camp. Traditionally, the Falcons have finalized these types of deals on the last day of the offseason as both Roddy White and Matt Ryan both inked deals before unpacking their bags at trading camp. Will the same happen with Jones or are negotiations stalling?
The wide receiver market was officially set when both Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas signed contracts before the franchise tag deadline. That set into motion the incoming deal for Jones who is set to play out the final year of his rookie contract. Both the Falcons and Jones have stated they plan on being in a very long-term relationship, but so far no deal has been agreed upon or potentially even negotiated.
ESPN's Vaughn McClure reported earlier in the offseason that Atlanta has not even begun to negotiate a contract with Jones, but then he reported after the other contracts were agreed upon that an agreement was expected before training camp. So far news has been quiet as to whether or not that is actually going to happen as begin heading to Flowery Branch on Thursday.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a new deals for Jones could reach $15.25 million annually. Right now, Jones is earning $10.176 million in guaranteed money in 2015. If a contract cannot be agreed on, Jones will be forced into the franchise tag which will be worth $14 million in 2016. The Falcons would ideally like to avoid that and simply get a deal done quickly, but there has been little work on negotiations thus far.
Regardless of what happens with the contract, Jones plans on reporting right away to training camp and will not hold out. He is expected to once again be the x-factor in the offense as the No.1 wide receiver. During training camp he will be relied up heavily considering the health of Roddy White is uncertain. The receiver told the media he had his knee drained before camp, but was expecting to be fine.
"It's not a concern to me because it's just like a little irritation," said White, via ESPN.com. "My cartilage in my knee is not smooth. It's kind of rippled. You can elect to have surgery, but I just decided not to because I'm not a surgery guy. I just don't want to do it. They gave me the option two years ago to have surgery. They said they would have to slice off the top of my cartilage, and I was like, 'I don't want to do that.' I don't want them to keep shaving my cartilage off until there's no more cartilage. Then you start to get arthritis.''
If the 34-year-old is held back at the start of camp that will help other receivers earn their spots on the roster. Justin Hardy is expected to make a big impact in his rookie season. Eric Weems and Leonard Hankerson are the lone veterans while Devin Hester works to find his place in the offense under new coordinator Kyle Shanahan.