While Jonathan Jones was played his first eight seasons in the NFL with New England, the Patriots went to the Super Bowl three times. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders didn’t have a winning campaign.
The former Auburn cornerback couldn’t have envisioned that coming Washington via NFL free agency would move him closer to returning to the Super Bowl.
But the Commanders posted a 12-5 record in 2024, when Washington reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. In contrast, New England had its second straight 4-13 showing in 2024.
“I didn’t think that would even be a part of the plan,” Jones said during his introductory press conference after signing with the Commanders. “Just seeing kind of the turmoil that had been going on here and just everything that this organization had to deal with, and just seeing how quickly it turned around, I think was one of the biggest surprises to me of just how quickly they were able to get in good people, good staff, everyone here from the scouts, everyone had to play a part in turning this place around and have done a good job of it. …
“I think from the leadership, from top down, ownership has done a good job of implementing good coaches, the GM to bring players in. We have a lot of good veterans who played a lot of good ball. They got a lot of young players who were stepping up and making a lot of plays. And so just the atmosphere, everything this team has been able to build, I think there’s winning here. Last year, you could see it. There’s potential to be great. And so it just comes down to getting out there on the practice field, continuing to get better, pushing each other, so that every week we’re prepared to win.”
In Jones’ first four NFL seasons, the Patriots played in the Super Bowl three times and went to the postseason annually. Since then, New England has one playoff appearance.
“You learn that the margin for error in this league is small,” Jones said. “The difference between any of those teams -- the Super Bowl teams or the terrible teams, all had talented players. They all had guys that could play in this league. But you realize how important the bond is, the trust. You know, it takes a lot of trust to go out and win championships, with every guy being able to know that your teammates are going to show up every day, do their responsibility, do their job. It’s a big thing. It goes a long way. It’s just having the trust of each other, having the trust of the coaches. Everybody being on the same page as an organization is what it needs to win.”
The quarterback also makes a difference. Tom Brady worked as New England’s quarterback in Jones’ first four seasons in the NFL. The decision to pick LSU QB Jayden Daniels at No. 2 in the 2024 NFL Draft was the ignition point of Washington’s turnaround.
“It brings a lot of confidence,” Jones said about winning play at quarterback. “It brings a confidence to a team, to a defense. Your goals kind of shift. Sometimes on defense, you’ll feel like you’re trying to win the game, that it has to be on you. And you’ll shift to a point.
“There’s certain teams around this league. We were that in New England for a while, Kansas City, whereas the defense, your job is like: Let me just get the ball back to our offense, to the quarterback. And then if they have the ball on the last drive, we know we’ll win that game. And so it gives a lot of confidence to a defense when you have a player like that.”
Jones joined the Patriots as a free-agent rookie in 2016. He had gone undrafted even though he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at that year’s NFL Scouting Combine.
As a rookie, Jones got on the field for 64 defensive snaps and 307 special-teams plays. In each of the next four seasons – until a shoulder injury limited him to six games in 2021 – Jones’ defensive snaps increased and his special-teams appearances decreased. Jones returned from the injury in 2022 as an every-game starter in the New England secondary.
In 2024, Jones played in every New England game and was on the field for 712 defensive snaps and four special-team plays. Jones recorded 58 tackles, six passes defended and two forced fumbles.
“I loved my time in New England,” Jones said. “It was great to be there. But this was a point in my career where I needed change. I thought change was good. They were changing over as well. I got to sit back and watch what Washington was doing last year, seeing what they were building, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Jones joined the Commanders for a one-year, $5.5 million contract that included a $2.5 million signing bonus and $4.5 million in guaranteed money.
“Oh, man, I feel like a rookie all over again, and I’m loving it,” Jones said. “I’m really loving it. Everything’s new. Trying to learn where the cafeteria is at. Even there, that’s new. So just taking it all in, embracing every step of the journey. It’s a new journey for me, but I’m embracing it. And I’m excited.”
As he transitioned from special-teamer, Jones developed into the Patriots’ regular slot corner, then showed versatility beyond that role. After the departure of Pro Bowler J.C. Jackson in free agency, Jones stepped into the vacated outside-corner spot in the 2022 season. He played a career-high 894 defensive snaps while posting career bests with four interceptions, 11 passes defended and three forced fumbles and making 69 tackles.
During the 2018 postseason, Jones shadowed Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship Game, then switched to safety for a special defensive scheme that led to a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
“I kind of expressed to the coaches that I don’t mind playing anywhere,” Jones said about his role in Washington. “I enjoy playing football, so if they need me inside, they need me outside, they need me at safety, I’m going to learn the defense to be ready to play wherever they need me. Started my career inside, so I’m always comfortable there. Played outside for the last few years, played some safety, so I just enjoy playing football. I’m going to know the defense inside and out, so wherever they need me, I’ll be willing to play.”
Jones is looking forward to working with Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., a former Auburn wide receiver and student assistant whose father spent 25 seasons as an Auburn assistant coach.
“Coach Witt, just being an Auburn guy, knowing his history, knowing his story,” Jones said. “His father, just the man that he is. Playing on a defense for him, I’m excited to do it.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.