The Patriots won’t use the franchise tag to retain their No. 1 cornerback.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported New England
Jonathan Jones ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, adding that the team “still has an interest in bringing him back.”The #Patriots won't franchise tag standout CB Jonathan Jones, source said. He'll hit the market, though New England has interest in bringing him back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2023
This decision should come as no surprise to Patriots fans.
Jones has been a valuable player for New England for several years, and his move in 2022 from the slot to the outside corner has been largely successful. But the value of the franchise for cornerbacks is $18.1 million – more than double the $7 million Jones earned annually on his last contract and far more than he’s likely to command on the market. free.
Speaking of a free market, the Patriots have just over a week to strike a new deal with Jones. If they can’t, he will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career when the league’s New Year opens at 4 p.m. next Wednesday.
MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels reported on Tuesday that New England was “working to sign a new deal with Jones and talks are expected to continue throughout the week” but added that it was “highly possible ” that the 29-year-old hits the market.
In a separate report, NFL Media’s Mike Giardi said Jones should have “a number of suitors.”
“He’s still considered by most teams I’ve spoken to as a slot CB,” Giardi tweeted, “but his performance as an outside CB this year has only made his talent better known.”
Jones has been with the Patriots since signing as an undrafted rookie from Auburn in 2016. He and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers lead New England’s group of nearly 20 impending free agents.
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