The Washington Commander have added more experience to their secondary by signing cornerback Jonathan Jones. Here are five things to know about the defensive back.
1. He was one of the best high school hurdlers in the country.
Jones was a versatile player for Carrolton High School. He was one of the best cornerback prospects in the country but also received some snaps as a running back and kick returner. He even returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown in the Georgia All-Star game.
But Jones wasn't just a star on the football field. He also excelled on Carrolton's track and field team and was ranked as one of the top hurdlers in the country. He placed third in the New Balance Nationals and won the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics National Championship in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.72.
Jones used his speed throughout his high school career to outpace opponents. During his junior year, he won state outdoor 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles events and claimed the Georgia Class 3A all-points trophy.
2. He had to earn his spot on the Patriots' roster.
Despite putting together an impressive combine performance that included a 4.33 40-yard dash, 4.25 20-yard shuttle and 10-foot-3 broad jump, Jones' name wasn't called during the 2016 NFL Draft. It was a bit of a surprise for Jones, who was projected to be a Day 3 pick.
"One of the worst days of my life," Jones told "The Get Back podcast."
Jones just wanted an opportunity to compete, and he got that with the Patriots after head coach Bill Belichick gave him a call. New England was notorious for having a demanding culture, but Jones found ways to adjust and fit in. The staff wanted three things from the players: show up, do your job and excel. That was the easy part for Jones, who carved out a role on special teams and competed with fellow undrafted free agent Cre'Von LeBlanc and seventh-round pick Darryl Roberts.
Cut day can be a stressful time for undrafted free agents, and Jones, despite playing well in training camp, wasn't guaranteed a spot on the roster. So, he rented a kayak and rowed down the Charles River to get his mind off things while also keeping an eye on his phone. If he got a call from the Patriots, he knew it was probably bad news.
Jones' phone never rang, and as the 4 p.m. deadline came and went, he knew he could relax a bit. Belichick kept his promise that Jones would get an opportunity to prove himself, and after months of hard work, he was one of the latest undrafted free agents to get a spot on New England's active roster.
3. Bill Belichick loved him.
Jones went from having to earn a roster spot to being one of the Patriots' key players, as he spent nine seasons in New England and played in 132 games with 71 starts. It wasn't common for the Patriots to keep players that long, but Belichick loved the energy and versatility that Jones brought to the Patriots' culture.
"He's been a great player for us for a long time in a lot of different roles, including the kicking game, which is where he started," Belichick said of Jones in 2023. "He epitomizes what we want in a Patriot player. Great to have him."
Jones excelled at whatever Belichick and the Patriots asked of him, whether it was on special teams, like when he stopped a punt on the 1-yard line against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 of his rookie season, or on defense as a nickel corner. Belichick trusted Jones with difficult assignments, like when he charged the cornerback to cover Tyreek Hill in the 2018 AFC Championship. Hill only had one catch in the game, and Patriots safety Duron Harmon credited Jones' performance as "a big reason" the team advanced to the Super Bowl.
Although the Patriots technically placed a second-round tender on Jones ahead of the 2019 season, Jones never truly hit free agency because Belichick kept finding ways to keep him around. Not long after receiving the tender, he re-signed with the Patriots on a one-year deal and later received a three-year contract extension. At the start of the new league year in 2023, he re-signed with New England again on a two-year deal.
Commanders fans might not be familiar with Jones or his skill set, but winning over Belichick is a rare seal of approval.
4. He brings Super Bowl experience to Washington's defense.
The Commanders were one game away from the Super Bowl and entered the offseason looking for ways to improve in 2025. Fortunately, they now have another player on their roster who has gotten there multiple times.
Jones was a member of the Patriots during the final years of the franchise's dynasty and has two Super Bowl victories. He played mostly on special teams during the Patriots famous 25-point comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons but was more active on defense against the Los Angeles Rams. Jones was second on the team with eight tackles and a sack in the 13-3 win.
Although they are going through a rebuild, the Patriots were the class of the NFL for half of Jones' career. He received years of experience learning how an organization can become a consistent winner, and he sees some similarities in what's happening with the Commanders.
"The ownership has done a good job of implementing good coaches [and] the GM to bring good players in," Jones said. "We have a lot of good veterans who played a lot of good ball. They've got a lot of young players who are stepping up and making a lot of plays."
5. He's ready for the future.
Nine seasons is a long time to spend with one team, and Jones is grateful for his experience with the Patriots. He's ready to start a new chapter, though, and he thinks joining the Commanders is the right decision.
"It's hard not to want to be a part of that," Jones said.
There are several reasons why Jones wanted to come to Washington. He got glowing reviews of head coach Dan Quinn from his former players like Stephon Gilmore. He was impressed with what he saw from quarterback Jayden Daniels and how he led the team to the most success it's had in decades.
But above all else, Jones wants to be part of a winning team with a strong culture. He found that in Washington, and he's excited for what's to come next.
"I think there's winning here. Last year, you could see it. There's potential to be great."
