With a month off before training camp, the Atlanta Falcons will focus on trying to get Julio Jones signed to a new deal to secure his future for the long-term. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has stated that getting jones a new deal is a top priority this offseason, but that appears to be easier said than done with uncertainty surrounding the wide receiver market. Jones does not plan to hold out for a new contract, but are the Falcons likely to get a deal done before training camp?
Jones made it clear that contract or no contract, he will report for training camp while also having attended OTAs and minicamp. This is a crucial season for Atlanta as they enter with raised expectations following the hiring of Dan Quinn. Jones is well aware how important it is to get to work immediately on learning the new offense and he said he will do whatever is asked simply because he wants to win.
"Whatever they feel like I'm deserving of ... I'm just here," Jones said, via ESPN.com. "I'm just trying to be the best teammate. I'm just trying to play. My thing is to play ball. Jimmy Sexton, he's going to negotiate that with [general manager] Thomas [Dimitroff] and [Falcons owner] Mr. [Arthur] Blank. That's the side they handle. My side, I've got to handle on the football field. I've got to keep showing up every day and putting in work."
Putting a number down on Jones is not easy. He along with Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and AJ Green are all looking to become the highest-paid wide receivers in the league which means a marquee contract like what Calvin Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions. Guaranteed money is a big issue. ESPN's Vaughn McClure is reporting that most receivers are concerned about the guaranteed money, something that is hard to pinpoint with Jones considering his injury history.
Regardless, the Falcons will make sure Jones gets his raise and stays with the team for years to come. The Falcons' offense will rely heavily on Jones as Roddy White reaches the end of his career along with Eric Weems and Devin Hester. Jones is the youngest on the roster along with rookie Justin Hardy. With question marks at the tight end position still, Jones is the player that will be all over the field in 2015 and he is ready for it.
"I'm every position now," Jones said. "Every position: the F, the Z, the Y, the [X] ... every formation, you've got to know everything."
