The 29-year-old is sticking round on a brand new two-year pact.
The New England Patriots entered free company week with Jonathan Jones as certainly one of their precedence gamers. The 29-year-old had been a key member of their secondary for a number of seasons, and in 2022 served as a starter on the outdoors cornerback place — successfully taking up the CB1 spot beforehand held by Pro Bowler J.C. Jackson.
While Jones’ physique of labor may need made him a possible goal for different groups, the Patriots didn’t wait to convey him again. Just 12 minutes into the so-called authorized tampering interval, the 2 sides reached an settlement on a two-year, $19 million contract extension.
Jones staying put doesn’t imply the Patriots are performed including to their cornerback group. However, his presence retains the inspiration in place at this early stage within the offseason course of — a basis that presently seems to be like this:
Cornerback depth chart
Jonathan Jones: While it stays to be seen the place Jones will line up in 2023, maintaining him round offers the group some choices. He may stay on the skin, transfer again into the slot, or presumably even assist substitute recently-retired group captain Devin McCourty on the deep security spot.
Jalen Mills: Another versatile participant who may issue into the security dialogue with McCourty now not a part of the image, Mills is coming off a difficult season. Despite lacking a mixed seven video games resulting from hamstring and groin accidents, the 28-year-old initiatives as a starter-level participant in New England’s defensive backfield in 2023.
Jack Jones: Jones confirmed loads of promise throughout his rookie season, however he ended it on a low be aware. The fourth-round draft choose missed the ultimate 4 video games resulting from a knee harm and group suspension. How that suspension (reportedly resulted from tardiness associated to his restoration) will affect his outlook stays to be seen.
Marcus Jones: The Patriots’ jack of all trades, Jones made an affect on offense, protection and particular groups in 2022. The All-Pro punt returner can be prominently featured as as sophomore as effectively, though his position on protection is a bit TBD: he spent most of his rookie marketing campaign outdoors and was aggressive, however seems higher suited to maneuver into the slot.
Shaun Wade: Wade spent all of 2022 on the Patriots’ lively roster, however his affect was marginal. He served as an emergency possibility and ended the season with solely 18 defensive snaps, making for an unclear projection trying ahead.
Quandre Mosely: The undrafted rookie is already on his fourth group. After taking part in only one defensive snap for the Patriots after they added him in December, he too faces an unsure future within the system.
Rodney Randle: A former rookie free agent arriving by way of the XFL and CFL, Randle was signed to a reserve/futures deal after the season. He initiatives as a depth possibility at greatest, and seems to be on the roster bubble alongside Wade and Mosely.
While these seven cornerbacks are presently beneath contract with the Patriots, two others who have been with the group in 2022 are nonetheless unaccounted for: restricted free agent Myles Bryant, who may be tendered till Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET, and unrestricted free agent Joejuan Williams. At this level, Bryant returning appears much more probably than Williams being introduced again.
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