The Atlanta Falcons and star wide receiver Julio Jones have agreed to a landmark three-year, $66 million contract extension that ties the six-time Pro Bowl selection with the team through 2023, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen on Saturday.
The extension includes $66 million in guaranteed money, with $64 million due at signing, sources told ESPN. Jones had two years and almost $21 million remaining on his contract.
The deal makes Jones the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver in terms of guaranteed money. Jones will collect 97% of the contract at signing, surpassing the previous record for a non-quarterback (Trey Flowers, 74%).
| Receiver | Guaranteed |
|---|---|
| Julio Jones | *$66M |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | $65M |
| Michael Thomas | $61M |
| Mike Evans | $55M |
| Brandin Cooks | $50.5M |
| DeAndre Hopkins | $49M |
| * $64 million due at signing | |
It also means Jones will be in the lineup for the Falcons’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Both team owner Arthur Blank and general manager Thomas Dimitroff vowed to prioritize an extension for Jones after the team adjusted his contract last year, giving him an additional $2.9 million for 2018.
The latest deal for Jones could not be reached until after July 27 — 12 months following his last renegotiation — per collective bargaining agreement rules.
Jones expressed trust for the organization throughout the process. His decision not to participate in the voluntary offseason program was not believed to be contract-related. Jones showed up for mandatory minicamp but did not participate while rehabbing from having a bunion removed from his foot.
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He also reported to training camp on time, although he has spent most of camp rehabbing on a side field.
Blank promised to reward Jones, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and linebacker Deion Jones leading into the 2019 season. Jarrett received a four-year, $68 million contract ($38 million guaranteed), while Deion Jones received a four-year, $57 million extension ($34 million guaranteed).
Julio Jones downplayed other top receivers around him in terms of how it affected his situation, although it is believed to have played a role in his negotiations.
Jones, the fastest receiver in NFL history to 10,000 receiving yards (103 games), holds eight franchise records. He enters the 2019 season with five straight seasons with at least 80 catches and 1,400 receiving yards. His 10,731 receiving yards are 133 shy of surpassing Roddy White for the franchise record.
The Falcons selected Jones with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Alabama. His 96.7 receiving yards per game ranks as the highest average in NFL history.
Jones’ extension follows a five-year, $150 million extension signed by quarterback Matt Ryan last year. The next offensive player to receive an extension is likely to be tight end Austin Hooper, who was named to his first Pro Bowl last season.
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