A.J. Green & Julio Jones Looking For More Money Than Dez Bryant & Demaryius Thomas Received

Jason Cole of B/R reports that Bengals WR A.J. Green and Falcons WR Julio Jones are looking to “reset the market” for receivers and best the recent contracts signed by Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas.

Thomas and Bryant walked away $14 million per year in their new agreements, but Cole mentions that Green and Jones have their sights set on $15 million or more.

Cole points out that the injury histories for both Jones and Green could ultimately impact their odds of improving upon the recent big-money extensions.

According to Cole, the two players have “significant leverage” with their respective teams, given their importance to their team’s offenses.

Both players are hoping to have agreements in place at some point in the near future.

Green recently told ABC 4 that his “time is coming” and he wants to remain in Cincinnati long-term.

“My time is coming,” Green said of an extension with the Bengals, per Paul Dehner Jr. “I want to stay there and I think they are going to get something done.”

Jones has said previously that he wouldn’t hold out for a new contract.

“I’m not going to hold out for anything,” Jones said a month ago. “My teammates need me. I’m being selfish if I’m not here and doing what I need to do.”

Green, 26, is playing out the 2015 season under the fifth-year option and stands to make a base salary of $10.176 million. This figure is guaranteed only for injury and won’t prevent them from working on an extension that would offer some cap relief.

In 2014, Green appeared in 13 games and caught 69 passes for 1,041 yards receiving and six touchdowns for the Bengals. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 15 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.

Jones, 26, finished out his four-year, $16.183 million rookie contract, but the Falcons protected themselves by picking up his fifth-year option that will pay him a non-guaranteed salary of $10.176 million for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Jones caught 104 passes for 1,593 yards receiving and six touchdowns over the course of 15 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 6 receiver out of 110 qualifying players this past season.