Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff spoke about his team and most notably, superstar receiver Julio Jones on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Jones, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract this season, is still without a contract extension, but Dimitroff said that the Falcons "want Julio to be here for years to come," according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Falcons GM wants Julio Jones in Atlanta for the long haul
Jones is one of the most explosive players in the game, and the Falcons have yet to lock him up going forward.
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jones will cost a pretty penny to retain, and the Falcons have already given up an awful lot just to get him on the team in the first place. In the 2011 NFL Draft, the Falcons moved up from No. 26 overall to the sixth overall pick to select Jones, giving up multiple first-round picks in the process. Jones has delivered in a big way, but many have wondered if the Falcons regretted giving up that much given the lack of overall success since the deal.
Dimitroff dispelled any notions of that on Thursday, saying that he would “absolutely” do the trade again if given the opportunity, according to CBS Sports. Despite the cost of giving up draft picks, he said it “might be the only time in the history of this organization we might do this. This wasn’t a flippant move.”
Jones has more than outperformed his current deal, which is slated to pay him $5.1 million this season. In 2014, Jones caught 104 passes for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns. Jones also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in 2012 and had 580 yards in five games in 2013 before going down with a season-ending foot injury.
It was reported on Thursday that the team and Jones have not discussed an extension yet, per Vaughn McClure of ESPN. McClure pointed out that Atlanta could be waiting to see what type of contracts are doled out to receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas, who are both scheduled to hit free agency on March 10. Jones is certainly in their class, having led the NFC in receiving.
Atlanta also has the money to pay Jones, as they are currently projected to have $24.5 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.
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