Alabama Football: Falcons cannot fly high without All-Pro Julio Jones
By Ronald Moody
Nick Saban’s most important Alabama football recruit is facing his biggest challenge as a professional. All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones’ decision to sit out training camp for a new contract is raising eyebrows across the league.
As NFL training camps open around the league today, excitement is abuzz everywhere except in Atlanta. When Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn steps foot on the freshly mowed grass at Flowery Branch, his primary offensive playmaker’s absence will be felt. Former Alabama football star, Julio Jones will not join his teammates.
Julio Jones, two-time All-Pro receiver, is in a standoff with the Falcons regarding his contract. Jones has three years left on his contract but wants to renegotiate his deal before the season starts.
UPDATE: Late Wednesday night, multiple NFL sources reported Julio and the Falcons have agreed to a new deal and he will report to camp.
The star wide receiver currently sits as the ninth highest paid receiver in the league. Julio and Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Antonio Brown are 1a and 1b as the two best receivers in the NFL. Brown makes a hefty $18.5 million per season compared to Jones’ paltry $10.5 million. Julio signed a five-year, $71.25 million deal in 2015 which included $47 million guaranteed. In 2019, Jones rates $12.5 million and $11.5 million in 2020.
Critics pan Jones because he received a front loaded contract and is asking for more money with three years left on his deal. Entering his eighth season, Julio deserves a substantial payday.
Voted by his peers as the fourth best player in the league, his equals corroborate Jones’s case for a raise. An increase in compensation is downright necessary.
NFL players holding out of training camp for better contracts occurs annually. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Seahawks safety Earl Thomas and Raider defensive lineman Khalil Mack are all boycotting camp until their contract resolution.
Falcons cannot fly without Jones
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan signed a lucrative $30 million deal this spring. Jones is the primary reason that Ryan is a top-tier quarterback. Elite receivers deserve compensation, especially game-breakers such as Jones. Standing at six-foot-three, 220 pounds Julio can take over a game. Ryan will miss his acrobatic and explosive playmaker.
The Falcons spoke to Jones’ agent and are prepared to restructure his contract after the season. Jones decided that he will not attend training camp until he receives a new deal. Julio is represented by Jimmy Sexton, also the agent for Alabama football coach, Nick Saban.
Owner Arthur Blank says Julio is a “Falcon for life.” When he becomes a free agent in 2021, Jones will be 32 years old. Blank understands the volatility of the situation and will press both sides for an agreement.
For the past four seasons, Jones has averaged over 80 catches and 1,400 plus yards.
According to ESPN Stats and Information, the five-time Pro Bowler has the highest yards per game average of all time at 95.3 yards per game with a minimum of 500 receptions.
Last season, he caught 88 passes for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns. Jones finished ninth in receptions but second in yardage behind Antonio Brown. Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks just received a deal for five years, $80 million and his numbers pale in comparison to Jones with 65 catches for 1,082 yards and seven scores.
The three touchdowns were an issue of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian’s difficulty of targeting the standout receiver in the red zone.
During his time in Atlanta, #Falcons WR Julio Jones has been a model teammate and his strong stance has surprised some. But he is also a very savvy businessman off the field. He knows value. So this is not out of character. Either way, the team won’t see him for a while.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 24, 2018
Hectic Offseason for Jones
Julio created a small controversy when he deleted the Atlanta Falcons from his Instagram account earlier this year. Jones skipped mandatory OTAs and voluntary offseason workouts. Fans expressed disappointment when seeing him work out with volatile Hall of Famer Terrell Owens. He knew this showdown with the organization would occur eventually.
The Falcons drafted former dynamic Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley with the twenty-sixth pick pairing him on the outside with Jones. The two have not had the opportunity to play alongside each other yet.
Julio is walking a treacherous path while he racks up a $40,000 fine every day he misses camp. Fans will curse the star for holding out. The Falcons are against setting a precedent that a player can sit out with three years remaining on their contract and receive a new deal.
However, as Alabama football fans know, Julio is a difference maker. The Falcons need their veteran in the locker room and on the playing field. The two sides need to reach an agreement swiftly whether it is including more incentives or tearing up the previous contract.
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A lineup of Julio Jones, Mohammed Sanu and Calvin Ridley has the potential to become the best trio of receivers in NFL. The Falcons need to resolve this issue quickly.