The New England Patriots are the only team Jonathan Jones has known in his nine-year NFL career.
But on Wednesday, Jones decided it was time for a change.
The veteran cornerback reportedly signed a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million with the Washington Commanders. And Jones, who was the longest-tenured defensive player on the Patriots, gave a brief reason to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan about why he decided to move on.
“I’m feeling good it was time for a new start,” Jones said to Callahan via text.
Jones, who joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2016, became a key cog in New England’s secondary and was with the Patriots for two Super Bowl victories. The Patriots rewarded Jones with a three-year, $21 million deal in 2019.
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But the 31-year-old had down seasons the last two years after coming through with a career-high four interceptions and 11 passes defended in 2022. Opposing quarterbacks completed 71.1% of their passes when targeting Jones this past season.
Jones later followed up his message to Callahan by releasing a statement on social media to thank the Patriots.
“I can’t begin to express how much these last nine years have meant to me,” Jones wrote. “As a young, undrafted kid out of Auburn, I came in with everything to prove. This organization took me in, believed in me, and gave me the opportunity to live out my dream. Together, we won two Super Bowls, overcame challenges, and created memories that will stay with me forever.”
Jones seemed to express some interest in staying with the Patriots, but it appeared the franchise was ready to move on, too, after it handed a lucrative three-year, $60 million deal to Carlton Davis in free agency.
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Mike Vrabel is trying to re-establish New England’s winning culture in his first season at the helm. And it is clear with the departure of Jones, that Vrabel is completely fine with new leaders emerging in the Patriots locker room to try to carry out that mission.