Julio Jones was somewhat of a surprise absence from organized team activities this week, but the Atlanta Falcons do not sound concerned about the star receiver’s status with the team.
On Tuesday, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said he has had open communication with Jones and expects him to report for mandatory minicamp next month.
#Falcons coach Dan Quinn told reporters that he’s been speaking regularly with star WR Julio Jones and that Jones is expected to be there for mandatory minicamp.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 22, 2018
Jones is one of the highest-paid wide receivers in football, but he is slated to make “just” $10.5 million in base salary in 2018. The belief is that he wants a raise or restructure that will result in him being paid more like Antonio Brown, who has an average annual value of $17 million on his contract.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank told 11 Alive Sports on Tuesday that Jones is going to be with the franchise “forever.”
“It’ll be fine. It’ll be fine. It’s the process we have to go through,” Blank said. “It’ll be fine. I love Julio. He loves me. He loves Atlanta. He’s going to be here forever.”
Jones is not the first star player we have seen who wants a raise this offseason, and the way the Falcons are talking makes it seem like there’s a good chance he is going to get it.
