With all of the focus on Dez Bryant wanting a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile in Atlanta Julio Jones has opted to patiently wait his turn to cash in for a big pay day.
Jones is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and instead of threatening to miss time or hold out, he says he will let his agent do his job and get whatever the Falcons are willing to pay him.
Here are some quotes from ESPN:
Atlanta Falcons two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones said he’s not going to hold out in order to get a new long-term contract.
Jones, with one year left on his deal, has attended all offseason workouts and the first two days of mandatory minicamp. The team appears to have every intention to sign him to a lucrative deal, although there appears to have been little discussion so far between the Falcons and Jones’ agent, Jimmy Sexton.
“Whatever they feel like I’m deserving of … I’m just here,” Jones said. “I’m just trying to be the best teammate. I’m just trying to play. My thing is to play ball.
“Jimmy Sexton, he’s going to negotiate that with [general manager] Thomas [Dimitroff] and [Falcons owner] Mr. [Arthur] Blank. That’s the side they handle. My side, I’ve got to handle on the football field. I’ve got to keep showing up every day and putting in work.”
Falcons veteran receiver Roddy White said he wants Jones to be the highest-paid receiver in the league. Jones isn’t thinking in those terms. He’s also not concerned with what’s going on with other players such as Dez Bryantand Demaryius Thomas.
“I haven’t been watching other people,” Jones said. “All I can do is take care of me. I’m going to let [the Falcons] take care of that side of it. If they say be here at this time, I’m going to be there. I’m going to be accountable.
“I’m not going to hold out for anything. My teammates need me. I’m being selfish if I’m not here and doing what I need to do.”
There is no doubt in my mind that the Falcons will reward Jones accordingly when it is all said done, the only question is how much are they willing to give him when they open up the checkbook.
I don’t think Jones will get Megatron money, and I don’t think he will get Dez Bryant money when it is all said and done, but I think he will get a nice pay day nonetheless.
