Falcons have no choice but to give Julio what he wants

The New Orleans Saints and wide receiver Michael Thomas agreed to a record-breaking contract extension on Wednesday morning.

The #Saints & star WR Michael Thomas have reached a blockbuster, 5 yr $100M extension. This contract makes Thomas the highest paid WR in NFL History. He’s also the first non-QB offensive player to sign a $100M contract. Agents @DavidMulugheta & Andrew Kessler negotiated the deal.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reported that Thomas is slated to make $61 million in guarantees.

For the #Saints and WR Michael Thomas, his 5-year, $100M extension includes $61M in guarantees, sources say. And one of training camp’s holdouts is over.

So what does this mean for Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones? After telling reporters he wasn't waiting for Thomas' deal to get done, the fact that it did may mean a new contract isn't too far away.

Julio Jones said he’s not waiting for Michael Thomas to get his contract done first. He said negotiating is ongoing. pic.twitter.com/lpQBkQytWE

"Players in the NFL don't, very often, see the type of leverage that Julio Jones has right now," Andy Bunker said. "The Falcons have no choice but to give him what he wants, right?"

Back in late March,  owner Arthur Blank said the plan was to make Julio a Falcon for life. And Jones has maintained that Blank's "word is gold." That gold just got a lot more pricey.

"This is going to be his last big deal," Randy McMichael said. "So you got to get it all right now...I don't see him coming under that $61 million (guaranteed)."