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Atlanta Falcons want to sign Julio Jones long-term

Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches the ball prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches the ball prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

New Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn wants the team to re-sign star wide receiver Julio Jones long-term as soon as possible.

Dan Quinn was named the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons soon after he lost Super Bowl 49 with the Seattle Seahawks as their defensive coordinator. While that was a very tough loss, knowing that he had a head coaching job was the light at the end of the tunnel for Quinn.

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He has been given a very talented Falcons team, and has a ton of talent on the offensive side of the football, especially. Julio Jones is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and Quinn has made it very clear that he wants the Falcons to bring him back long-term. It isn’t surprising at all, and the Falcons will likely do everything they can to get that done for Quinn.

Jones had yet another big season in 2014, catching 104 passes for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers are impressive, and he is without a doubt one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league.

At just 26 years of age, Jones is quite possibly the most important player for the Falcons to make sure that they re-sign.

Quinn talked about bringing Jones back on his first day with the team, and explained why he thinks Jones is so important.

“The things I’ve heard about him, just in terms of the leader he’s become on and off the field, can’t wait to connect with him,” Quinn said. “For me, just to have the chance to start the process with him, I can’t wait. We love great players, and we want to celebrate all the good guys that we have. We’re trying to collect more great players, not the other way around.”

Atlanta finished the 2014 season with a 6-10 record, and fell to the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 to miss out in the NFL playoffs. There is quite a bit of work to be done, but Quinn’s defensive mind is going to help them in a big way.

It is very likely that the Falcons will get something done with Jones in the near future. They have some holes to fill on both sides of the football, but they can’t afford to let their star wide receiver go. Upgrading the running back position is the only other major need offensively, while the defense could use a couple of additions.

Don’t be surprised to see the Falcons work at getting a new deal done with Jones early this offseason. They aren’t going to allow him to walk, especially after these comments from Quinn.

H/T ESPN.com

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