Titans restructure Julio Jones contract: Salt in an open wound for Falcons

Unfortunately, this restructuring gives the Falcons no relief for their salary cap this fall or in 2022. Next year, Jones will count as $15.5 million towards the Atlanta salary cap before his contract comes off the books for the 2023 season.

The Titans also added two void years to Jones' contract, which originally ran through 2023. By doing that, Tennessee spreads out the new $14 million signing bonus against the salary cap over five years instead of three.

Jones was more than happy to oblige to this restructuring. Fans sometimes mistake "restructuring" for pay cut. It almost never means that in the NFL. By restructuring his contract, Jones gets paid the same amount, and actually, he will now receive his money sooner. The $14 million signing bonus will be paid to him immediately instead of over the course of the years that remain on the deal.

The receiver will have a base salary of $11.513 million each of the next two seasons.

So not only did Jones get shipped out of Atlanta as he wanted, his new team reworked his contract as he reportedly wanted. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk writes that Jones' new contract details indicate that he may also be primed for one more big payday.

It's all a hard pill to swallow when the Falcons bent over backwards -- in their minds -- to ensure Jones was paid well and remained a "Falcon for life." 

This could be just the beginning of a tough year for Falcons fans with Jones. If Jones does indeed get one more big payday, he will have to be healthy and post some big numbers for Tennessee this season. 

Jones contributed a lot to the Falcons over his decade in Atlanta. The fanbase should wish him well. Still, it won't be easy watching Jones become one of the best receivers in the league once again with the Titans if that happens this fall.