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The NFL's Atlanta Falcons announced on Saturday that they reached a contract extension with the team's star wide receiver Julio Jones. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the 30-year-old got a three-year, 66-million-U.S.-dollar new deal, which will make him the highest-paid WR of the league.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen revealed that Jones will receive 64 million U.S. dollars or 97 percent of the whole when he signs the new contract, surpassing the previous record for a non-quarterback that was held by Trey Flowers (74 percent).
Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball after a catch in the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, December 16, 2018. /VCG Photo
"I love this city, and I'm committed to being a Falcon for life," said Jones in a statement.
"There are a handful of elite receivers, and Julio is certainly a part of that group, not only because of his production on the field but his leadership off the field and in the locker room. Julio has been a cornerstone of our organization for several years, and we have always intended for that to continue for years to come," said Thomas Dimitroff, general manager of the Falcons in a statement.
Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch and turns upfield in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Raymond James Stadium, December 30, 2018. /VCG Photo
Since he was selected by the Falcons with the No. 6 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Jones has been making the team proud. It only took him 103 games to reach 10,000 receiving yards, the fewest in league history. He was named six-time Pro-Bowl, two-time First-Team All-Pro, two-time Second-Team All-Pro and two-time NFL receiving yards leader. Jones has also gotten at least 80 catches and 1,400 yards for five straight seasons since 2014.
The two sides reaching a new deal in such a smooth way is rare in the league. Many players, including Ezekiel Elliott and Melvin Gordon, chose to skip training camps and preseason games to demand big contracts from the team. Unlike them, Jones expressed trust in the Falcons during the process and showed up for mandatory minicamp.
Antonio Brown of the Oakland Raiders warms up before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the State Farm Stadium, August 15, 2019. /VCG Photo
The other piece of big news on Saturday was not so heartwarming but definitely more shocking – Antonio Brown, who had been released by the Oakland Raiders, as requested by the player himself, got a one-year contract worth up to 15 million U.S. dollars with the New England Patriots, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.
Though Brown won't be able to play for the defending champion in their first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, his arrival at the Gillette Stadium Foxborough will make the whole league tremble.
Antonio Brown of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a touchdown pass in the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the Heinz Field, December 2, 2018. /VCG Photo
When Brown was willing to work, he was a seven-time Pro Bowl WR who was named four-time First-team All-Pro, two-time NFL receiving yards leader, two-time NFL receptions leader, one-time NFL receiving touchdowns leader and a guy who finished six consecutive seasons getting over 100 receives per season.
Now, he is joining 2018 Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon to play for the Patriots under the command of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The team also have Demaryius Thomas, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers and N'Keal Harry as talent stock in the position.
Of course, Brown has two major problems to deal with before he can really help the team. First, he needs to master the Patriots' offensive playbook, which is considered the strictest and most complex of the league. Second, Brown needs to prove to Belichick, who has been known for his strict approach to coaching, that he is no longer the troublemaker he was with the Steelers and the Raiders.