Julio Jones Says He Wasn't Planning to Hold Out After Signing Falcons Contract

Despite reports to the contrary, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was never planning to hold out for a new deal. 

Speaking after his first practice on Friday, the All-Pro receiver noted he intended to be at training camp. 

"I was already gonna come here," Jones told reporters. "They took care of it. We knew all along we were gonna get it handled."

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported on Tuesday that Jones wasn't planning on reporting to camp without some adjustments to his contract. 

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff announced Wednesday that Jones would be with the team when they opened camp after the two sides had dialogue all offseason about his deal. 

Per The Athletic's Jeff Schultz, Atlanta converted roughly $2 million of Jones' 2019 base salary into bonus money for this season. 

The 29-year-old wideout has three years remaining on the five-year deal he signed in 2015. He will make $9 million in base salary this season, per Spotrac.