ESPN has learned that star receiver Julio Jones will not receive a contract extension from his club the Atlanta Falcons. The decision taken by management last month, has left an indelible yet awkward level of tension going into training camp, a decision which may turn against the franchise, if Jones chose to sit out the remainder of his contract.
If the star receiver doesn't report to camp he will be docked $40,000 per day missed. Jones did not join his teammates for mandatory workouts or at last month's minicamp, with the stated goal of pressuring management to increase his wages. Player and team may very well agree on his value, but due to cap constraints, the Falcons have had no choice but to play hardball with their All-Pro talent.
Jones is due $34.426 million over the remaining three years of his contract, a five-year extension he signed in $71.25 million plus bonus incentives, $47 million of which is guaranteed. Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff considers other plays greater candidates for extensions. Those players include left tackle Jake Matthews, nose tackle Grady Jarrett and free safety Ricardo Allen.
Training Camp begins next Thursday, and the Falcons fully expect Julio to be present during the opening scrimmages, Friday morning at 9:20 a.m. As far as guaranteed money is concerned for wide-out talent in the NFL, Jones has the third richest contract behind Mike Evans and DeAndre Hopkins, who locked down $55 million and $49 million respectively.
