Atlanta Falcons, WR Julio Jones agree to five-year contract extension
The Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday night that they have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones is now the second highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
The Atlanta Falcons have locked up one of the NFL’s emerging, top-tier wide receivers.
On Saturday evening, the Falcons announced that they have agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with wide receiver Julio Jones.
BREAKING: The Falcons have signed Julio Jones to a five-year extension #RiseUp
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 29, 2015
According to Chris Mortenson of ESPN, Jones’ extension with the Falcons is worth $71.2 million with $47 million of that guaranteed.
Julio Jones and Falcons have agreed to a new 5-year contract worth $71.250 million and $47 million guaranteed. Team about to announce.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) August 29, 2015
Since being selected sixth overall by the Falcons in the 2011 NFL Draft, Jones has been one of the NFL’s most electric wide receivers. A sentiment that justifies the 2011 draft day trade that saw Falcons give up five draft picks including two first-round selections to the Cleveland Browns for the right to draft Jones.
In his first five seasons in the NFL, Jones has totaled 4,330 receiving yards and 26 receiving touchdowns on 278 receptions.
With the Falcons in 2014, Jones had his best season to date. He played in all but one game for the Falcons last season while compiling 104 receptions for a total of 1,593 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns. Jones’ efforts during the 2014 season earned the wide receiver his second career appearance in the NFL Pro Bowl.
After Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver Dez Bryant and Denver Broncos’ wide receiver Demaryius Thomas signed their contract extensions earlier this off-season, there was a belief that Jones would be among the next group of wide receivers to be in line for a hefty payday.
Bryant and Thomas signed similar $70 million contract extensions with their respective teams this off-season. Jones’ $71 million contract extension tops both Bryant and Thomas and is second among NFL wide receivers to Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson signed a $113.4 million contract extension with the Lions prior to the 2013 season.
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