ATLANTA — Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn, who have led the team to the NFL playoffs the past two seasons, have signed three-year contract extensions. The deals were announced Wednesday, a day before players were to report for training camp. Financial terms were not disclosed for the contracts, which will run through the 2022 season. The new deals for Dimitroff and Quinn will leave the focus for the start of training camp on wide receiver Julio Jones, who is entering the third year of his five-year, $71.5 million contract. Jones has asked to have his deal renegotiated, but the team has said it won't offer the former University of Alabama standout a more lucrative deal this year. Jones is not expected to report Thursday for Friday's opening day of camp. He would be Atlanta's first training camp holdout since 2009, when receiver Roddy White's weeklong absence ended with a new $50 million deal. Dimitroff, hired in 2008, is entering his 11th … [Read more...] about Atlanta Falcons extend contracts for GM Thomas Dimitroff, coach Dan Quinn
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Atlanta Falcons won’t budge on Julio Jones’ contract, reports indicate
The Atlanta Falcons will hold their first practice of training camp on July 27. They're hoping wide receiver Julio Jones will be there. The Falcons were expecting the former Alabama standout to attend the opening of the NFL team's offseason program and hoping he'd attend mandatory minicamp. But he wasn't at either. Reports this summer indicated Jones was seeking an "update or correction" on his contract. He's not going to get it, though, the Athletic and Atlanta Journal-Constitution have reported this week, with the AJC reporting Jones' representatives were told last month that no changes in his current contract were coming for the 2018 season. The NFL Network reported on Thursday the Falcons would be open to renegotiating Jones' deal next year. In its budgeting, Atlanta has prioritized extensions for several young players entering the last season of their contracts this year. Those players include left offensive tackle Jake Matthews, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett … [Read more...] about Atlanta Falcons won’t budge on Julio Jones’ contract, reports indicate
Atlanta Falcons coach keeping the faith on Julio Jones
The Atlanta Falcons could fine wide receiver Julio Jones $84,435 after he failed to attend the NFL team's three-day mandatory minicamp this week. But it doesn't appear that will happen. Falcons coach Dan Quinn sounded understanding when asked about Jones' absence from Atlanta's entire offseason program, saying: "Sometimes football and business intersect." A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro first-teamer, Jones signed a five-year, $71,256,045 contract extension with the Falcons before the 2015 season. He's under contract for the next three years, but reports during the offseason indicated the former Alabama standout wants a "correction or update" for his contract. Jones is due to collect a base salary of $10.5 million for the 2018 season, which ranks sixth among the NFL's wide receivers. With an average value of $14.251 million, Jones' contract ranks eighth among NFL wide receivers. "The good news is that there are conversations that have … [Read more...] about Atlanta Falcons coach keeping the faith on Julio Jones
Raise for Atlanta Falcons star Julio Jones would be complicated
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Matt Ryan once again worked without his favorite target Wednesday on the second day of the Atlanta Falcons' "mandatory" mini-camp, yet the quarterback said he's not worried about wide receiver Julio Jones being absent and plans to work out with him soon. Jones appears to be seeking a contract adjustment to bump his pay grade up into the neighborhood of the NFL's top receivers. Multiple receivers have agreed to new contracts this offseason, leaving him ranked No. 7 at the position with a salary cap charge this season of $12.9 million. Ryan wasn't in the mood to talk about the situation after practice. "I understand that there's a business side to this sport, too, and I don't like to get involved in other people's business and I don't like speaking about my business," he said. "It's not my place to get into He's such a incredible player, such a talented player, and he's been working hard. He's in great shape, so I think he'll pick those new things up really … [Read more...] about Raise for Atlanta Falcons star Julio Jones would be complicated
Calvin Ridley says he’ll play better for Atlanta Falcons with Julio Jones watching
During his three seasons at Alabama, Julio Jones led the Crimson Tide in receiving each year. During his three seasons at Alabama, Calvin Ridley led the Crimson Tide in receiving each year. One thing's for sure: One of them will not lead his team in receiving in 2018. That's because they're teammates now. The Atlanta Falcons selected Ridley with the 26th choice in 2018 NFL Draft to join Jones, their five-time Pro Bowler, in the wide-receiving corps. In 40 games at Alabama, Jones caught 179 passes for 2,653 yards -- an average of 14.8 yards per reception -- and 15 touchdowns. In 44 games at Alabama, Ridley caught 224 passes for 2,781 yards -- an average of 12.4 yards per reception -- and 19 touchdowns. Since joining the Falcons as the sixth player picked in the 2011 NFL Draft, Jones has caught 585 passes for 9,054 yards and 43 touchdowns. Jones owns one of the six 300-receiving-yards games in NFL history. With three games of at least 250 receiving yards, he's the only player … [Read more...] about Calvin Ridley says he’ll play better for Atlanta Falcons with Julio Jones watching