Falcons' Julio Jones seeking contract extension, says he won't hold out

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is looking for a contract extension, but will not hold out if the two parties can't reach an agreement.

Jones will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season and will be paid $10.1 million in the final year of his deal.

Jones said he'll leave it up to Falcons' upper management to develop fair terms entering negotiations.

"Whatever they feel like I'm deserving of ... I'm just here," Jones said to ESPN's Vaughn McClure. "I'm just trying to be the best teammate. I'm just trying to play. My thing is to play ball.

"Jimmy Sexton, he's going to negotiate that with (general manager) Thomas (Dimitroff) and (Falcons owner) Mr. (Arthur) Blank. That's the side they handle. My side, I've got to handle on the football field. I've got to keep showing up every day and putting in work."

The 26-year-old compiled a tantalizing season in 2014, recording a career-high 104 catches and 1,593 yards, adding six touchdowns in 15 games.

"I haven't been watching other people," Jones said. "All I can do is take care of me. I'm going to let (the Falcons) take care of that side of it. If they say be here at this time, I'm going to be there. I'm going to be accountable.

"I'm not going to hold out for anything. My teammates need me. I'm being selfish if I'm not here and doing what I need to do."

The Falcons general manager reiterated May 4 that it's in the team's plans to extend Jones for the foreseeable future.

"There is no question that our focus in the future will be on Julio Jones and where we are," Dimitroff said.

Jones is one of the league's most talented receivers, and Falcons head coach Dan Quinn could build a strong regime around him. With Jones clearly stating his desire to remain a Falcon long-term, the Falcons would be wise to pay him a lucrative sum, quickly.