‘It’s hard to say no to New England’
Jones would prefer to remain with franchise
FOXBORO >> Jonathan Jones wants to remain in New England as a member of the Patriots. But the veteran cornerback is well aware anything can happen in free agency.
With the doors officially opening March 15, the 29-year-old isn’t sure what to expect.
“There’s not much anxiety. You just take it in stride,” Jones said Wednesday after speaking with girls and mentors from Big Sister Boston at the Patriots Hall of Fame in honor of International Women’s Day. “It’s something new for me. I’ve never been through free agency. But I just have faith it’ll all work out in the end.”
Listening to him, having it “work out” means he’ll be back in New England, a goal he repeated several times during the course of his appearance.
“That’s the desire, to be back here. It’s what I know, it’s what I love, it’s New England,” he said. “It’s hard to say no to New England.”
Jones has spent his entire career as a Patriot, and has been a part of two Super Bowl championships.
“Being here, is where I’ve spent a lot of my adult life. It’s been a part of my journey and I love it. (The Patriots) have been a big part of my life,” he said. “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 arrived in 2016 as an undrafted rookie out of Auburn. Since then, he carved out a role initially as a slot corner, while moving out to the boundary full-time this past season. He rookie contract had been extended in 2019 before hitting free agency, as he signed a three-year contract extension worth $21 million in new money.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones projects to have a contract that will pay him $11 million annually.
Jones indicated “there was interest on both sides” to get something done whether it was before March 15 when the witching hour strikes at 4 p.m., or after the doors officially open to free agency.
He’s anticipating that talks will heat up at the beginning of the week.
“I can’t say that I have any insight that it would (get done before the 15th), but it’s possible we could,” he 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.’
During his speech, he cited both Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater as being mentors to him, and now that he’s learned from the best, feels he can also serve as a mentor and leader going forward whether that’s in New England, or somewhere else.
“They’ve been big mentors to me both on and off the field since I’ve been here,” Jones said. “So just to emulate some of the things they’ve done has been important to me.”
Jones took part in the event, hosted by the Patriots charitable foundation, even though he may no longer suit up for the team after next week.
He has a 7-year-old daughter (Skylar) so it was important for him to honor his commitment and speak to the Big Sisters. He spent a half hour answering questions after the program.
“To see all the things (Big Sister) is doing for the young women, for International Women’s Day, it was special for me to be a small part of it,” said Jones, who this year became the first male ambassador for Play Like a Girl, a national organization that works to close the gender gap in competitive, male-dominated fields.
Pats decline to use tag
The Patriots opted not to use their franchise or transition tags this week when the NFL’s deadline passed for the teams to apply use the tags and keep players they wished to retain on one-year, guaranteed contracts.
Their top free agent, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, would have made $19.7 million had he received the franchise tag. Meyers will head into the open market next week, along with Jones and running back Damien Harris. None of them were considered serious candidates for the tag, which would have cost the Patriots $18.1 million in Jones’ case and $10.1 million with Harris.
The Pats last applied their franchise tag in March 2020 on left guard Joe Thuney, who left a year later to sign a longterm deal with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Extra points
Patriots cornerback/returner Marcus Jones appeared on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Wednesday morning and reiterated he wants to play defensive back moving forward. The Pats used Jones as a receiver in the final quarter of last season. Said Jones: “I’m always a defensive back first, that’s the first thing. But anywhere that’s needed for the team, I’m definitely down for it. But I’m a defensive back first.” …. The Patriots reportedly met with South Dakota State tight end Tucker Kraft at the combine, per The Draft Network. Kraft is an FCS AllAmerican who received interest from Alabama last year as a potential transfer. Instead, he stayed and ran a 4.69 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and is expected to be a midround pick in April …. Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins told The Pat McAfee Show he is open to amending the final two years of his contract. Hopkins is expected to be traded this offseason and whatever team acquires him would absorb a $19.1 million cap hit next season if his contract is unchanged.