It didn't take long after NFL free agency started for a former Ohio State star to be on the move. According to a report by NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the New England Patriots have agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract with veteran NFL defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones, adding a proven interior pass rusher to their defense.
For Jones, this marks the start of a new chapter in a highly successful professional career. After spending his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos, two with the Seattle Seahawks, and last year split between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens, the 29-year-old defensive tackle will now bring his disruptive skills to New England as the Patriots look to build a strong defensive line for the 2026 NFL season.
Before making his mark on Sundays, Jones was a dominant force on Saturdays for the Buckeyes. Arriving in Columbus as a highly regarded recruit from Cleveland's St. Ignatius High School, Jones developed into one of the top defensive linemen in college football. After redshirting his freshman year in 2015, he became a regular starter on the Buckeyes' defensive line, improving each year.
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His breakout season came in 2018 during his redshirt junior year. Jones was a threat to opposing backfields, recording 43 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He also returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown against TCU, showcasing the fluid athleticism that made him a nightmare for interior offensive linemen. Jones' dominant 2018 season earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors, cementing his legacy as one of the great interior rushers of the Urban Meyer era at Ohio State.
Following his career with the Scarlet and Gray, Jones declared for the 2019 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Broncos in the third round with the No. 71 overall pick. He quickly demonstrated that his skills translated smoothly to the next level. Over four seasons in Denver, Jones developed into a dependable and versatile defensive player, accumulating 133 total tackles, 22 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.
His steady production in Denver earned Jones a lucrative payday in the 2023 offseason when he signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Seahawks. In Seattle, Jones continued to be a key part of the defensive line, using his positional versatility to play both inside as a tackle and outside on the edge. He provided a reliable veteran presence and consistent pressure in the tough NFC West.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Jones signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Titans. He was in Tennessee for only a few months before being traded to the Ravens in early November. He finished the year with 43 total tackles, seven tackles for loss and seven sacks across both teams.
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As he heads to Foxborough, Jones brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to a Patriots defense that values versatility, intelligence, and toughness under another former Ohio State defensive lineman, Mike Vrabel. As New England prepares for the upcoming season, the addition of the former Buckeye standout signals the team's commitment to dominating the line of scrimmage and gives Jones another chance to showcase his talents in his eighth year in the NFL.