ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a $71.25 million, five-year contract extension with Julio Jones on Saturday that compares favorably with recent deals paid to other top wide receivers.
The deal, announced by the team before Saturday night’s preseason game at Miami, was expected. Owner Arthur Blank recently said an agreement would come soon, and he has consistently said he wants Jones to play his full career with the Falcons.
“We could not be more thrilled to make Julio a Falcon for life,” Blank said in a statement. “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.”
The deal, which keeps Jones in Atlanta through the 2020 season, includes guarantees of $47.5 million. His average salary during the contract is $14.25 million.
Jones was set to earn about $10 million this year, the last season of a four-year deal.
Two other top NFL receivers, Denver’s Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant of Dallas, signed $70 million contracts this year.
Jones set career highs with 104 catches and a franchise-record 1,593 yards receiving last season. It was an important season for the former Alabama star following the 2013 surgery to repair the fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He broke the same bone in the foot in 2011.
Jones has looked strong and quick this preseason. He caught four passes from Matt Ryan, including one for a touchdown, on the Falcons’ first preseason possession against Tennessee.
Jones said he feels more explosive after losing a few pounds in the offseason.
“Now, on go-balls, I’ve got another gear,” Jones said in training camp.
In his first four seasons, Jones has 278 receptions for 4,330 yards and 26 touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 2012 and 2014.
The Falcons’ big investment in Jones began with a bold trade with Cleveland to move up in the 2011 NFL Draft. In order to make Jones the No. 6 overall pick, the Falcons traded first-round picks in 2011 and 2012, its 2011 second- and fourth-round picks and its 2012 fourth-round selection.
JAGUARS
Roster trimmed to 75
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived veteran receiver Tandon Doss and 11 others to reduce their roster to 75 players.
The Jaguars also placed rookie defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (knee) and offensive tackle Josh Wells (thumb) on injured reserve Saturday, and waived injured receiver Greg Jenkins. If Jenkins clears waivers, he will revert to Jacksonville’s IR list.
Doss, who led the NFL in punt-return average in 2013 and missed last season with an ankle injury, struggled with drops in the preseason. Rookie Rashad Greene is expected to return punts.
Also waived were linebacker Mister Alexander, defensive end Camaron Beard, offensive lineman Cody Booth, cornerback Tommie Campbell, safety Desmond Cooper, defensive tackle Eric Crume, linebacker Khairi Fortt, tight end Connor Hamlett, punter Kasey Redfern, offensive lineman Jack Rummells and quarterback Jeff Tuel.
REDSKINS
New deal for left tackle
BALTIMORE — Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams says he has agreed to a new contract.
A few hours before the Redskins’ game against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Williams tweeted: “Happy to announce I will be a Redskin for the next 5 years. This is a dream come true.”
The team and Williams’ agent did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Williams’ announcement comes a little more than a week after the Pro Bowler sat out an exhibition game during which quarterback Robert Griffin III was sacked three times by Detroit.
After the game, Washington Coach Jay Gruden said Williams had an injured right foot.
Williams, 27, is entering his sixth NFL season after Washington drafted him No. 4 overall out of Oklahoma.
PACKERS
Cobb injures shoulder
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Receiver Randall Cobb has left the Packers’ preseason game Saturday night against the Philadelphia Eagles with a shoulder injury.
Cobb appeared to be favoring his right arm after landing on it as he was trying to catch a pass on the sideline from rookie Brett Hundley on Green Bay’s first offensive drive.
He is the second starting wideout to get hurt for Green Bay in preseason action. Jordy Nelson was lost for the year with a right knee injury last Sunday against Pittsburgh.
Cobb signed a four-year, $40 million contract in the offseason that kept the receiver off the open market. He is expected to be the Packers’ top wideout with Nelson gone.
Hundley started in place of NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who watched from the sideline in sweats as a healthy scratch. The Packers did not dress three starting offensive linemen because of injuries.
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga left the game later in the first quarter with a left ankle injury, leaving center Corey Linsley as the only healthy starting lineman.
Eagles starting right tackle Lane Johnson limped off with a left knee injury following a failed two-point conversion attempt in the first quarter. The team said it was keeping Johnson out the rest of the game as a precaution.