Patriots Make Franchise-Tag Decision on Jonathan Jones

Cornerback Jonathan Jones is expected to earn a significant payday, either from the New England Patriots or on the NFL’s open market, in 2023.

FOXBORO — The New England Patriots may be about to let their top cornerback test the free-agent market.

Unless … both sides can strike a deal within the next week. 

Per a Tuesday afternoon report from NFL Media, the Pats will not apply the franchise tag to Jonathan Jones ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

The report further stated that New England “still has interest in bringing him [Jones] back,” prior to the start of the league year on March 15. 

Despite Jones being considered as one of the Patriots’ top-priority free agents, the team’s decision to forgo the franchise tag-route should not be surprising. 

The contractual value for tagged cornerbacks is $18.1 million. If applied, the Patriots would be committing more than double the $7 million annual salary Jones earned on his last contract. The amount is also likely to significantly exceed the amount he is expected to command on the open market.

Still, the fact that both sides continue to discuss a potential new deal provides some positivity for his remaining in New England. Earlier on Tuesday, MassLive reported that the Patriots are “certainly” interested in retaining Jones, but may be willing to let him test his market value. 

“The team has been working toward signing Jones to a new deal and talks are expected to continue throughout the week,” wrote MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “This is a scenario that could also see Jones testing the free agent market and then giving the Patriots a chance to match or better the offer.”

Should he enter unrestricted free agency, Jones is expected to have several suitors for his services. 

Per league sources, the expectations are that there will be a number of suitors for #Patriots cornerback Jon Jones. He's still viewed by most team I talked to as a slot CB, but his performance as an outside CB this year only served to heighten awareness about his talent.

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) March 7, 2023

Since joining the Patriots as an undrafted rookie out of Auburn in 2016, Jones has become of the team’s most versatile defensive backs. For his first five seasons in New England, he was considered among the top slot corners in the NFL. Following the departure of ex-alpha cornerback  J. C. Jackson via free agency in 2022, Jones make the switch to the perimeter. The 29-year-old compiled 69 total tackles, 11 passes-defensed, four interceptions (one of which went for a touchdown) and three forced fumbles in 16 games.  

In coverage, Jones performed adequately, surrendering 47 catches on 87 targets for 547 yards and six touchdowns, per Pro Football Focus. He was the Pats most relaible contributor in a game day rotation consisting of veteran Jalen Mills, slot corner Myles Bryant and rookies Marcus Jones and Jack Jones.

Jones set himself up well for his first ever trip to free agency. At the end of the day, however, his preference would be to return to New England.

“I would hope so,” he said earlier this offseason. “That’s where I spent my career. It’s what I know. It’s what I love. New England is home for me in that aspect. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how free agency turns out, and we’ll take it from there.”

If the Patriots and Jones are unable to come to an agreement before next Wednesday, the task of ‘taking it from there” will become notably more difficult. 

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