Patriots Reportedly Close to Contract Extension for CB Jonathan Jones
By Karl Rasmussen
The New England Patriots have, naturally, been linked to Antonio Brown since the Raiders announced their plans to release the wide receiver. Well, the Pats made a move on Saturday, but it wasn't to go after AB.
Instead, the Patriots are reportedly close to locking up an extension for cornerback Jonathan Jones, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
Source: The #Patriots and standout CB Jonathan Jones are closing in on a contract extension. An underrated player but a good one.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2019
Jones appeared in all 16 games for the Patriots in 2018, though he started just five. He logged 3 interceptions, 7 passes defended, 1.5 sacks and 56 tackles in his third year in the league.
He went undrafted in 2016 out of Auburn, but was scooped up by the Pats and managed to feature in every game as a rookie.
Jonathan Jones, with Safety help, was able to make Tyreek Hill disappear from the 2018 AFC Championship game. Hill was held to only one catch in that game. [which was allowed by recently traded Keion Crossen, not Jones]
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 7, 2019
Jones will likely get some more opportunity in his fourth year in the NFL, and the Patriots clearly have him in their plans if they're locking him up to an extension.
While the Pats' secondary is rather deep, Jones is proving to be a standout player. He'll still be behind the likes of Jason McCourty and Stephon Gilmore on the depth chart, but that doesn't mean he won't be making big plays for the defense.