The Atlanta Falcons intend on making their relationship with Julio Jones very long term. However, making that happen appears to be easier said than done as it continues to be a topic of discussion in training camp. The wide receiver is currently playing out the final year of his rookie deal as negotiations on an extension are ongoing. With the intention to get Jones signed before the season starts, owner Arthur Blank assured fans things were moving along.
The market for wide receivers has been set after both Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas inked their respective deals worth five years and $70 million. That got things moving on a contract for Jones, but no numbers have been agreed upon year. According to ESPN's Vaughn McClure the Falcons are very confident that Jones will be with this franchise for the remainder of his career.
"We're in the middle of those discussions," Blank said, via ESPN.com. "We expect Julio to be a lifer for the Falcons. We're moving forward and have every reason to be positive and be enthusiastic about it. I think whatever the market is in the league, we look at Julio as certainly being in that class. The specifics, his length of contract and where he is in his contract terms is different than those players [Bryant and Thomas]. All of that needs to be built into the new deal. But we view [Jones] as one of the top receivers in the NFL, and I think most people do as well."
The question is whether or not Jones is worth as much as Calvin Johnson who makes $16.2 million per season. McClure reports that Blank is eyeing somewhere between $14 million to $15 million as a reasonable deal for the wide receiver. He assured the media that injuries were not a factor in the contract talks as Jones missed 11 games in 2013 with a foot injury. Blank said there are no lingering concerns.
While Jones knows his role on the Falcons, other stars are trying to figure out theirs. Antone Smith and Terron Ward were the stars of Friday's scrimmage with both Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman injured. Justin Hardy and Leonard Hankerson are battling for the No.3 receiving spot. Meanwhile, Devin Hester is wondering where he fits in with the new offense. Last season, Hester saw more playing time at receiver than he did with the Chicago Bears, but the return man is uncertain if that will continue. The coaching staff simply want him to win games.
"Tell him his role is to win a game," wide receiver coach Terry Robiskie said, via ESPN.com. "That's easy. Tell Devin Hester his role is to win the game. That's all. Tell him I said so. I don't care what he is. He can be the quarterback if he wants as long as he can go out there and win the game. ... When we put him in the game, wherever we send him, go win the game. That's his role."
