Julio Jones & Falcons Reportedly “Closing In” On New Deal Worth $15M Per Year

Jason Cole of B/R reports that the Falcons and WR Julio Jones are “closing in on” a new contract that could be done in the next few weeks.

According to Cole, Jones could end up securing as much as $15 million per year as part of the agreement, which would surpass the $14 million that Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas got from their respective teams.

Cole points out tha CAA represents not only Jones, but also Thomas and Bryant, so there’s some question as to how the other two players will respond to Jones besting their new contracts just a few weeks later.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported Thursday that contract negotiations between the Falcons and Jones are just beginning and “very preliminary” as of now.

“Julio Jones stepped on the field today and said that his agent Jimmy Sexton has been talking to members of the Falcons’ brass,” Rapoport said of the contract talks. “Essentially negotiations are just beginning, very preliminary, but of course it is a no-brainer for the Falcons that they want to do a deal to lock Julio Jones up long term.”

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.

We’ll have more regarding Jones and the Falcons as the news is available.