Julio Jones signs five-year contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons
Sunday 30 August 2015 15:59, UK
The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a five-year contract extension with star wide receiver Julio Jones.
Jones will receive $71.25m over the life of the deal, with $47.5m guaranteed, according to ESPN.
The deal, announced by the team before Saturday night's pre-season game at Miami, follows owner Arthur Blank's pledge to Atlanta fans to make Jones a Falcon for life.
"We could not be more thrilled to make Julio a Falcon for life," said Blank.
"Julio has established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL during his career and has already set the franchise record for receiving yards in a season.
"I am extremely proud of what he has accomplished and he has just begun to scratch the surface in terms of his potential."
Two other top NFL receivers, Denver's Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant of Dallas, also signed $70m contracts this year.
Jones was set to earn about $10m this year, the last season of a four-year deal.
The 26-year-old set career highs with 104 catches and a franchise-record 1,593 yards receiving last season.
