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Roddy White: Falcons Need to Pay Julio Jones

Wednesday saw star wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant land similar five-year, $70 million contracts. Now that that those major tasks have been accomplished, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White says his team needs to pay fellow wideout Julio Jones.

“If I was the GM, I would get a deal done with Julio now,” White told ESPN’s Josina Anderson on Friday. “I want to make sure he’s paid. That’s my guy.”

According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Falcons have yet to begin negotiations with Jones. He reported that both parties are in “wait and see mode.”  However, that was before Thomas and Bryant signed their deals. With the elite wide receiver market set, it was reported Wednesday by ESPN’s Vaughn McCure that the “general sense” was that a deal could be done with Jones prior to the start of training camp.

White Continued:

“The more they wait, the more it’s going to cost them”, White said. “It’s important that (Julio) feels comfortable.”

There is a point to be made here. If the Falcons signed Jones to an extension somewhat equivalent with that of Thomas and Bryant, that could possibly save money long term. While no wide receiver would appear to be on course to land the annual salary of $16 million that Detroit Lions Calvin Johnson receives, Jones’ price tag could soar by next season if he continues to put up supreme numbers this year.

Jones, who is scheduled to play out the fifth-year option on his rookie contract this season, recently reported that he would never consider holding out on his team if faced with the same situation that Bryant and Thomas were just in.

It should be interesting to see if Jones cracks a deal prior to training camp and the ripple effect might set off.

Photo: USA Today Sports

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