The New England Patriots are the only team Jonathan Jones has known in his nine-year NFL career.<\/p>\n
But on Wednesday, Jones decided it was time for a change.<\/p>\n
The veteran cornerback reportedly signed<\/a> 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\u2019s Andrew Callahan about why he decided to move on.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m feeling good it was time for a new start,\u201d Jones said to Callahan via text<\/a>.<\/p>\n Jones, who joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2016, became a key cog in New England\u2019s secondary and was with the Patriots for two Super Bowl victories. The Patriots rewarded Jones with a three-year, $21 million deal in 2019.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n 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.<\/p>\n Jones later followed up his message to Callahan by releasing a statement<\/a> on social media to thank the Patriots.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \t\t<\/body><\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t begin to express how much these last nine years have meant to me,\u201d Jones wrote. \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a> three-year, $60 million deal to Carlton Davis in free agency.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Mike Vrabel is trying to re-establish New England\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/html><\/body> Digital Content Producer<\/p>\n An award-winning journalist that has covered nearly everything under the sun for over a decade. Also, an anointed NESN.com media day maven.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Featured image via Dec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) warms up before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/main><\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t<\/html><\/div>\nAbout the Author<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/nesn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/09\/Greg-Dudek-96x96.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\tGreg Dudek\t\t\t\t<\/a>
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tgdudek10\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\nIn This Article<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Football More From This Article<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n