The New England Patriots face some tough decisions ahead of the NFL trade deadline, with one of the key choices being what to do with cornerback Jonathan Jones.
Jones, a Patriot since 2016, is in the final year of his contract.
Given New England’s rebuilding phase, keeping the 31-year-old doesn’t align with their current trajectory, sparking trade rumors around him.
Sean T. McGuire of NESN believes the Patriots would be better off parting ways with Jones, even though it would mark the end of an era.
“Will Jones re-sign in New England knowing that’s the case? Do the Patriots intend to re-sign him knowing they have so many more pressing needs than cornerback? If not, the Patriots need to get what they can now,” McGuire noted.
McGuire also suggested Jones could be New England’s “most desirable piece,” likely to yield a better return than edge rusher Josh Uche, who was recently traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for a sixth-round pick.
Many teams are searching for reliable cornerbacks, and while Jones isn’t a Pro Bowler, he has playoff experience and a steady presence on the field.
An undrafted Auburn product, Jones has helped the Patriots win two Super Bowls. So far in 2024, he’s tallied 28 tackles, a forced fumble, and three passes defended. Last season, he registered 48 tackles and seven passes defended.
With the Patriots expected to make multiple moves in the coming days, Jones is a likely candidate for a trade.
