The Atlanta Falcons are working on extending three of their star players. One, however, should be their priority and that is the best receiver in the League Julio Jones.
Julio Jones listened when the Atlanta Falcons told him last season he would have to wait for a new contract. Jones could have played hardball and sat out exercising the leverage that being one of the best receivers ever to play gives him.
Instead Jones showed up and played finishing the season with 1,677-yards and 8-touchdowns. He followed through and showed just how incredible of a talent he is. Now it is time for the Falcons to follow through and pay him.
Considering the fact they told Julio he would have a new contract this season he should be the teams priority. Even with plenty of young talent to extend Julio deserves an extension and a raise considering the current market for receivers.
Watching the off-season drama surrounding Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. should give Falcon’s fans even more of an appreciation for just how special Julio is. He is arguably the only top five receiver in the League without diva tendencies.
All he cares about is winning and playing at a high level. That shows in his production on the field and in the way he carries himself off the field as well.
Keeping Jones in Atlanta for the remainder of his career should be the Falcon’s goal considering how rarely a player like Jones comes along. He is due for an extension and a salary bump considering his value and production.
If the Falcons opt not to follow through extending Jones it wouldn’t be surprising to see Jones hold out. Especially considering he already played through a season risking injury on the knowledge the Falcons would extend him this off-season. More to come as extension talks continue for Atlanta.