While some high-profile NFL players have protested their contract situations by skipping organized team activities (OTAs), Falcons receiver Julio Jones won't take that route.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Jones "will be there" for the start of OTAs Tuesday morning although there have been no talks yet regarding a new deal. Jones has one year left on his contract and would become an unrestricted free agent in 2016.
Owner Arthur Blank, coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff all expressed a desire to keep Jones around for the long haul. Dimitroff traded away five draft picks in 2011 in order to move up for Jones, fully understanding Jones would be an integral piece of the franchise for years to come.
Jones proved his value during a Pro Bowl season in 2014, setting a franchise record with 1,593 receiving yards (104 receptions) a year after he fractured his foot.
Dimitroff said he has no lingering concerns about Jones' foot, which means it shouldn't affect contract talks.
Jones no doubt wants to be among the highest-paid receivers in the league, and Detroit's Calvin Johnson currently tops the list at $16 million per season. Jones will make $10,176,000 this season after the team exercised the fifth-year option in his contract. The Falcons could elect to use the franchise tag on Jones next year at a one-year price estimated around $14 million.
The soft-spoken Jones appears to be taking the right approach by putting his head down and going to work rather than publicly lobbying for a new contract. Again, it's not uncommon for a player to skip OTAs due to a contract dispute. New York's Darrelle Revis and Chicago's Matt Forte have done it in the past while Denver's Demaryius Thomas and San Diego's Eric Weddle currently plan to protest their deals by sitting out OTAs.
In other contract news related to the Falcons, first-round pick Vic Beasley told ESPN.com he "more than likely" will participate in OTAs despite not signing a contract yet. Beasley can sign an injury protection form that states if he gets injured, the club will negotiate in good faith based off his draft position (eighth overall).