Veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones might not be a guaranteed of a New England Patriots return this offseason.
Jones, the most notable of impending New England free agents, is joining the open market, according to MassLive’s Karen Guregian. The 31-year-old has spent the past nine seasons in a Patriots uniform, dating back to when the team signed the undrafted Auburn product to a three-year deal in 2016. And now, with two Super Bowl rings in his trophy case, Jones is going to test his market value in free agency.
This doesn’t rule out the Patriots from re-signing Jones, however, it could prompt the ending of his run in Foxborough. Jones will likely seek a contract that New England isn’t willing to match, especially with the team’s needs in other key areas, such as the offensive line and wide receiver. So, while Jones, now past his prime, might not be at the top of head coach Mike Vrabel’s priorities list, both sides value each other.
“I would love to (stay in New England),” Jones told WEEI in December. “It’s rare for a guy to be in one place his entire career. Especially after being undrafted, being here my entire career, I feel indebted to being here. Love the fan base, love the team. And so, it’d be awesome to be a guy who goes his entire career in the same place.”
Jones compiled 58 total tackles, including 41 solo tackles, with six passes defended and two forced fumbles across 17 appearances last season for the Patriots. Jones has stuck around for the bleak post-Tom Brady period that’s left the franchise without a playoff win since its Super Bowl LII win over the Los Angeles Rams six years ago.
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If Jones does depart in free agency, the Patriots still have Christian Gonzalez, Marcellus Dial, Isaiah Bolden and Alex Austin, who signed his restricted free agent tender, under contract entering next season.
