Jones will join the Washington Commanders on a one-year contract for the 2025 season, according to the Boston Herald and ESPN on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed.
Jones’ departure comes after the Patriots agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract with Carlton Davis, another free agent cornerback from Auburn, this week.
Jones appeared in every New England game in 2024, totaling 712 defensive snaps and four special-teams plays. Jones totaled 58 tackles, six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.
Benjamin St-Juste, Washington’s top two outside corners last season, has left for the Los Angeles Chargers, while former Auburn standout Noah Igbinoghene became an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
Jones joined the Patriots as a free-agent rookie in 2016, despite running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He played 64 defensive snaps and 307 special-teams plays as a rookie. Jones’ defensive snaps increased over the next four seasons, but his special-teams appearances decreased due to a shoulder injury that limited him to six games in 2021.
Jones returned from injury in 2022 and started every game in the New England secondary. Jones had established himself as the Patriots’ primary slot cornerback before demonstrating versatility outside that position. Jones took over the outside corner position in the 2022 season after Pro Bowler J.C. Jackson left for free agency. He played 894 defensive snaps, setting career highs with four interceptions, 11 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and 69 tackles.
Jones played eight postseason games for the Patriots.
As a rookie, he played 22 special-teams plays in New England’s 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI on February 5, 2017.
Jones was unable to play in Super Bowl LII, which concluded the 2017 season, as the Patriots were defeated 41-33 by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jones shadowed Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship Game before switching to safety for a unique defensive plan that resulted in a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
In 132 regular-season games, Jones has 436 tackles, 11 interceptions, 57 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Jones became a free agent after finishing his two-year, $19 million contract.
