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Report: Falcons won't renegotiate contract with Julio Jones before season starts

Despite his best efforts, Julio Jones will not be getting a new deal from the Atlanta Falcons before the season starts.

The Falcons informed Jones that “they have no plans to give him the raise” he wanted ahead of the season, and that they didn’t budget for a renegotiation this offseason, The Athletic reported on Wednesday night.

Jones is currently in the second year of a five-year deal worth more than $71 million that he signed in 2015, which made him the highest paid receiver in the NFL at the time. Seven wideouts have signed more lucrative deals since then. Jones is currently due for a raise in 2019 of up to $12.5 million.

Julio Jones reportedly will not get a new deal before the season starts, something he has been gunning for throughout the offseason. (Getty Images)
Julio Jones reportedly will not get a new deal before the season starts, something he has been gunning for throughout the offseason. (Getty Images)

Jones has skipped multiple Falcons events this offseason, drawing speculation that he is unhappy with their front office. He skipped both OTAs — which is optional — and last month’s mandatory minicamp. He did, though, attend a team workout with quarterback Matt Ryan and rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley on Monday, making his holdouts from official team workouts was in an effort to put pressure on management for a new deal.

The Falcons, though, have reportedly told Jones that they already budgeted for a contract renegotiation after this season. So while he likely isn’t happy that he’ll have to wait for a new deal until next spring, that news is likely enough to get Jones to training camp on time next week.

Jones is entering his eighth season with the Falcons this fall. The two-time All-Pro wide receiver had 88 receptions for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns last season.

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