A contract situation was on the table Sunday between Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Jimmy Sexton, agent of former Alabama standout and Falcons’ receiver Julio Jones.
According to Vaughn McClure, staff writer for ESPN, Blank didn’t give a timetable for Jones’ contract, but said things are progressing.
Jones, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, is coming off a monster year in 2014. His 1,593 receiving yards led the NFC and became an all-time single season record for the Atlanta Falcons. The two-time Pro Bowler totaled six touchdowns on 104 receptions in 15 games. Jones’ success came on the heels of a dismal 2013 season, in which he only played five games (foot). He tallied 580 yards and two touchdowns on 41 catches.
Jones has one year left on his rookie contract and is set to make $10.176 million this season.
Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) and Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos) are two of the higher paid receivers in the National Football League, both bringing in $70 million contracts with $40 million guaranteed for five years. Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson is the top go-getter in the league, collecting 16.2 million per season.
Between $14 and $15 million is what Blank figures as reasonable for Jones.
Jones anticipates a huge season in 2015, and with him healthy beside Roddy White and Devin Hester, Atlanta has a chance to be successful.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
