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One of the New England Patriots\u2019 primary to-dos over the final four weeks of the season is assessing their roster heading toward 2025, including the members of their free agency class. A total of 19 of their current players are headed for the open market, with defensive back Jonathan Jones one of the biggest names on the list.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old, who so far has appeared in 136 games for the Patriots since his arrival as an undrafted rookie in 2016, will see his contract expire on March 12. He is about to enter unrestricted free agency coming off an up-and-down campaign for both the team and himself.<\/p>\n
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future as a Patriot, Jones is not worried about what it will bring. As he told WEEI on Monday, his focus is on the task at hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got four more games left, so I\u2019m just here to finish out my four games,\u201d Jones said. \u201cIn the offseason, when free agency comes, I\u2019ll deal with it. But right now, I\u2019m just focused on putting my all into those four games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones did, however, express hope that he will be able to finish his career where it started.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would love to [stay in New England],\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s rare for a guy to be in one place his entire career. Especially after being undrafted, being here my entire career, I feel indebted to being here. Love the fanbase, love the team. And so, it\u2019d be awesome to be a guy who goes his entire career in the same place.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of multiple rookie free agent defensive backs to find success in New England through the years, Jones was a successful special teamer who later also became a mainstay on the Patriots offense. Initially a slot cornerback, he later became a starter on the outside and one of the team\u2019s most reliable performers.<\/p>\n
However, after his defensive playing time peaked at 84 percent in 2022 it saw a steady decline \u2014 first down to 78 percent last year, before reaching 67 so far in 2024. That number still has him ranked sixth overall on the team, but the trend and his age make for potentially problematic mix.<\/p>\n
Jones himself, meanwhile, applies the same zen mindset he uses for free agency to his usage as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll just show up every week, work, be ready for the game plan. However the game goes, it goes,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just always making sure that I\u2019m available. Game plan and playing time, I\u2019ll leave that up to the coaches. My job is to be ready to play.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Headed toward free agency, the veteran cornerback recently saw his playing time release.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5990,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-england-patriots"],"yoast_head":"\n