The Falcons say they are in a good place with Julio Jones’ contract situation and plan to continue to negotiate with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, who received the team’s $15.2 million franchise tag.
The Falcons have until July 12 to reach an extension with Jarrett. There is no timeline on the Jones’ deal.
“We’ll continue to talk with both Julio and his representation,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We’ve have had really good conversations with them. There is no particular time on that. I’m not concerned about it, nor is he. We’ll get that figured out.”
Oakland drove up the wide receiver market with the new guarantees they gave wide receiver Antonio Brown after he forced his way out of Pittsburgh.
“I know there is interest because of everything that’s going on with all of the receivers in the league,” Dimitroff said. “There are big numbers (being) talked about and a big situation there. Look, we feel good with our communications there.”
Brown received a three-year, $50.1 million deal with, $30.1 million guaranteed.
The Chiefs were ready to bestow a lucrative contract on Tyreek Hill, but that was before the recent domestic situation was discovered.
“That’s the market, right,” Dimitroff said. “I think you have to be very cognizant of the market when you’re a general manager and a head coach, as a co-team builder, you have to be very aware of it.
“We can all be back on our heels on it, but the reality is the reality. It makes things more interesting when you are putting together a team with some really high paid players. Of course, when you have a quarterback that you are paying well and other players on our team, we know that we have a high paid group and we are going to continue to keep them around because we think they are worth it.”
It’s possible Jarrett could play the season on the franchise tag.
“As far as Grady, we of course have franchise tagged him and that’s where we are at this point,” Dimitroff said. “You can negotiate that all the way up to before training camp, so we have time to continue to discuss (the situation).”
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