Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones offered an update on his contract situation Tuesday, telling reporters he’s not concerned with the timing of his deal relative to other wideouts seeking big paydays.
Asked if he wants to wait for New Orleans’ Michael Thomas or Dallas’ Amari Cooper — who are both entering contract years — to sign extensions and reset the market first, Jones replied, “We’re not in the same boat. They’ve got their own thing going on, I’ve got my own thing.”
“I’m not waiting on Michael Thomas, I’m not waiting on Amari Cooper,” Jones continued. “It’s just us going back and forth right now and negotiating. But that’s it. There’s nothing at this point for me to tell.”
Jones has repeatedly expressed trust in the team’s commitment to giving him an extension, after he received a contract adjustment last year following a brief holdout. He has two years and $21 million remaining on his current deal.
Meanwhile, Jones said he will not play in the preseason for the second straight year.
“I don’t need preseason to get ready,” the 30-year-old said. “It’s a mentality thing. As long as I get my reps in practice — I practice the way I play, so once I get my reps in and things like that, I’ll be ready to go.”
Jones did not play at all last preseason, after playing in just one exhibition game in 2017. He had played in three in 2016 and all four in 2015.
In 2018, Jones led the NFL with 1,677 receiving yards. He caught 113 passes, eight of them for touchdowns.
