The Atlanta Falcons set a Saturday deadline to get a new deal done with star receiver Julio Jones. And mere hours before said deadline was to pass, it's being reported that the two sides have indeed agreed to terms on an extension:
Fox Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer was the first to report the news:
Jones, 26, joins a plethora of NFL receivers who have agreed to extensions with their respective teams this summer. Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys), Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos) and T.Y. Hilton (Indianapolis Colts) had previously signed huge long-term deals.
For Jones, this is an extension that seemed to be in the making for some time now. As one of the top receivers in the game, it only made sense that the Falcons would extend him. After missing all but five games to injury during the 2013 campaign, Jones came back strong last year, recording 104 receptions for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns.
Atlanta confirmed the extension shortly after it was reported by multiple media outlets:
Reports indicate that the deal is worth $71.25 million over five seasons with $47.5 million guaranteed. The $14.25 million annual average makes Jones the second-highest paid receiver in the NFL behind Calvin Johnson. His guarantee total also ranks second in the NFL behind Johnson.