The Atlanta Falcons took care of pending business on Wednesday after agreeing to a four-year, $57 million contract extension with standout linebacker Deion Jones.
The dominant linebacker’s new deal will keep him in Atlanta through the 2023 season, and includes $36 million in guaranteed salary.
It’s been quite a rise to the elite for Jones, who was a relatively unheralded second round draft pick out of Louisiana State University in the 2016 NFL Draft. He immediately made an impact with the Falcons, starting 13 games and recording 106 total tackles.
He got even better in 2017, when he was given his first career NFL Pro Bowl nod. He anchored Atlanta’s defense, recording 138 total tackles and 3 interceptions, which led to him establishing himself as one of the league’s best linebackers.
Jones picked up a foot injury in the first game of the 2018 season, which caused him to miss 10 of the Falcons’ 16 games. His absence was felt during the time he spent on the injured reserve list, as the Falcons’ defense struggled mightily without him.
The Falcons now hope that Jones will come back healthy and strong in 2019 so that he anchors their defense both this season and for the next four years to come.
