FOXBORO – Jonathan Jones wants to remain in New England as a member of the Patriots. But the veteran cornerback is well aware anything can happen in free agency.
With the doors officially opening March 15, the 29-year-old isn’t sure what to expect.
“There’s not much anxiety. You just take it in stride,” Jones said Wednesday after speaking with girls and mentors from Big Sister Boston at the Patriots Hall of Fame in honor of International Women’s Day. “It’s something new for me. I’ve never been through free agency. But I just have faith it’ll all work out in the end.”
Listening to him, having it “work out” means he’ll be back in New England, a goal he repeated several times during the course of his appearance.
“That’s the desire, to be back here. It’s what I know, it’s what I love, It’s New England,” he said. “It’s hard to say no to New England.”
Jones has spent his entire career as a Patriot, and has been a part of two Super Bowl championships.
“Being here, is where I’ve spent a lot of my adult life. It’s been a part of my journey and I love it. (The Patriots) have been a big part of my life,” he said. “My development, from a young man coming here when I was 22 years old, and just growing . . . so I would love to still be around. I love New England. It holds a special place in my heart.”
Jones arrived in 2016 as an undrafted rookie out of Auburn. Since then, he carved out a role initially as a slot corner, while moving out to the boundary full-time this past season. He rookie contract had been extended in 2019 before hitting free agency, as he signed a three-year contract extension worth $21 million in new money.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones projects to have a contract that will pay him $11 million annually.
Jones indicated “there was interest on both sides” to get something done whether it was before March 15 when the witching hour strikes at 4 p.m., or after the doors officially open to free agency.
He’s anticipating that talks will heat up at the beginning of the week.
“I can’t say that I have any insight that it would (get done before the 15th), but it’s possible we could,” he said. “That would be great. If not, that’s just part of it . . . at some point, I’d like to have it past me. But it’s going to be what it’s going to be. I think I’m just taking it in stride and enjoying the journey.’
During his speech, he cited both Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater as being mentors to him, and now that he’s learned from the best, feels he can also serve as a mentor and leader going forward whether that’s in New England, or somewhere else.
“They’ve been big mentors to me both on and off the field since I’ve been here,” Jones said of McCourty and Slater. “So just to emulate some of the things they’ve done, has been important to me.”
Jones still took part in the event, hosted by the Patriots charitable foundation, even though he may no longer suit up for the team after next week.
He has a 7-year-old daughter (Skylar) so it was important for him to honor his commitment and speak to the Big Sisters. He spent a half hour answering questions after the program.
“To see all the things (Big Sister) is doing for the young women, for International Women’s Day, it was special for me to be a small part of it,” said Jones, who this year became the first male ambassador for Play Like a Girl, a national organization that works to close the gender gap in competitive, male-dominated fields.”
Patriots CB Jonathan Jones on pending free agency: 'It's hard to say no to New England' - Boston Herald
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