Following months of back and forth negotiations, the Atlanta Falcons and star running back Devonta Freeman have finally come to a deal on a contract extension. However, they were not the only team to hand out a contract extension today. The Dallas Cowboys also reached one with punter Chris Jones.
Devonta Freeman gets paid by Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons and Devonta Freeman have agreed on a five-year, $41.25 million contract extension that will keep the running back with the team through 2022. Freeman's deal also includes a $15 million signing bonus and comes with $22 million in guaranteed money.
He now makes the most average money per year among running backs in the league with multi-year deals.
Freeman was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Florida State. He spent his rookie season as a backup running back to veteran Steven Jackson. The following season, Freeman was elevated to starter after Jackson was released, exploding onto the NFL scene with his rushing and receiving ability.
In the last two seasons, Freeman has received 492 carries and ran for 2,135 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has also added 127 receptions for 1,040 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons and was selected to the AP All-Pro Second Team in 2015.
Cowboys give extension to punter
The Dallas Cowboys and Chris Jones have agreed to a four-year, $8.7 million contract extension that includes a $2.5 million dollar signing bonus. Jones, who was set to become a free agent after this season, is now signed with the team through 2021. Along with kicker Dan Bailey and long snapper L.P.
Ladouceur, Jones helps the Cowboys have arguably one of the best special teams units in the NFL.
Jones came into the NFL as an undrafted rookie out of Carson-Newman in 2011. He lost the starting job to veteran Matt McBriar but was signed to the team's practice squad. He ended up starting two games his rookie year when McBriar got injured.
The next season Jones beat out McBrair for the starting job but only played four games due to injury, Since 2013, Jones has been the unquestioned starter and has not missed a single game.
Last season, the 28-year-old averaged 45.9 yards per punt and had a 66-yard punt, both career highs. He also had a 30-yard run on a fake punt last season, the third longest in Cowboys history by a punter and the fourth longest in the last thirty seasons. For his career, Jones averages 45.2 yards per punt and has a 40.4-yard net average.
