Atlanta Falcons Julio Jones Expected to Continue Hold Out
By Kit Anderson
Headline Atlanta Falcons news broke today with Julio Jones expected to continue his holdout through the start of Falcon’s camp. A surprising and frustrating move from Jones.
Julio Jones has let the Atlanta Falcons know he will not be reporting to camp and wants his contract re-worked. This coming on the heels of the Falcons letting Jones know they would not be giving him a new contract.
They did caveat this statement by telling Jones they would revisit the contract at the end of the season.
Common sense would tell you Jones holding out longer would only hurt his reputation and earn him nothing. Jones is choosing to push the point with three years left on his deal and plenty of money still heading his way.
Holding out longer is a head-scratching decision. The Falcons told Jones he would receive a new contract at the end of the season.
The fact he is still willing to hold out and risk being ready for the start of the season hurts the team and Julio. Jones has always been a team-first player holding out longer will only hurt him and his teammates.
For a receiver who has avoided the diva tag in years past he is coming dangerously close. The team has to hope he doesn’t push it further holding out during the pre-season games.
If so the Falcons will be in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Jones is a key member of the offense but the team can win games without the star receiver.
Pushing the Falcons for a new deal isn’t going to help the team. If he holds out for too long it could cause the Falcons and their fanbase to become frustrated with the fan favorite.
The Falcons “Brotherhood” that has been preached for two seasons isn’t being exemplified by its best player. More to come as Julio’s hold out to continues.