Patriots free agent Jonathan Jones makes intentions clear
The Patriots elected not to use their franchise tag this year.
As one New England Patriots free agent is celebrating his freedom, another has made it clear he’d like to stick around.
Cornerback Jonathan Jones is set to hit free agency next week, but apparently, unlike free-agent offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, he’d prefer to keep playing in New England.
“That’s the desire, to be back here,” Jones told the Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian at the Patriots Hall of Fame after speaking to girls and mentors from Big Sister Boston in honor of International Women’s Day. “It’s what I know, it’s what I love, It’s New England. It’s hard to say no to New England.”
Jones won two Super Bowls in New England and played in a third. He was the Patriots’ top slot cornerback for five seasons before moving to outside cornerback last season. If Devin McCourty retires this offseason, Jones could even move to free safety, where he played in Super Bowl LIII. The Patriots could use him in their secondary at any one of the three positions in 2023.
“Being here, is where I’ve spent a lot of my adult life,” Jones said. “It’s been a part of my journey and I love it. (The Patriots) have been a big part of my life. My development, from a young man coming here when I was 22 years old, and just growing . . . so I would love to still be around. I love New England. It holds a special place in my heart.”
Jones told Guregian there’s interest from both sides in him returning. He originally came to New England as an undrafted free agent out of Auburn in 2016.
“I can’t say that I have any insight that it would (get done before the 15th), but it’s possible we could,” Jones said. “That would be great. If not, that’s just part of it . . . at some point, I’d like to have it past me. But it’s going to be what it’s going to be. I think I’m just taking it in stride and enjoying the journey.”
The Patriots re-signed Jones, 29, to a three-year, $21 million contract extension before he hit free agency in 2019. He’ll likely make more as a free agent this offseason whether that’s in New England or elsewhere.
Featured image via Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
