Falcons sign Jones to record 3-year extension

The Atlanta Falcons and Julio Jones have agreed to a landmark three-year extension that ties the star wide receiver to the team through 2023, the Falcons announced Saturday.

Jones had two years and almost $21 million remaining on his contract. The $66 million extension also increases his guaranteed money to $66 million, with $64 million due at signing.

The deal makes Jones the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver in terms of guaranteed money. Jones will collect 97% of the contract at signing, surpassing the previous record for a non-quarterback (Trey Flowers, 74%).

Jones, the fastest in NFL history to 10,000 receiving yards (103 games), holds eight franchise records. He enters the 2019 season with five straight seasons with at least 80 catches and 1,400 receiving yards. His 10,731 receiving yards are 133 shy of surpassing Roddy White for the franchise record.

The Falcons selected Jones with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Alabama. His 96.7 receiving yards per game ranks as the highest average in NFL history.