For the second time during the first week of NFL free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles have added a veteran cornerback — Jonathan Jones.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday night the Eagles signed Jones to a 1-year contract.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones also reported the deal and made a joke about having the same name as the cornerback.
Jones will be entering his 11th NFL season during 2026. He spent the first nine of those campaigns with the New England Patriots, where he won two Super Bowls early in his career.
Last season, Jones played for the Washington Commanders. He started seven of 12 contests, posting 41 combined tackles, including one for loss. Jones also had one quarterback hit and five pass defenses.
NJ.com’s Cayden Steele described the signing as filling an “underrated need.”
“Philadelphia’s cornerback depth this past season was weak. Kelee Ringo became a liability, Mac McWilliams never developed into a contributor and Jakorian Bennett made no impact,” Steele wrote. “The Eagles liked Michael Carter II enough to bring him back on a revised deal, but he proved nothing last year after getting acquired at the trade deadline.”
The Eagles signed Jones two days after inking Riq Woolen to a 1-year deal. Woolen has also won a Super Bowl — this past season with the Seattle Seahawks.
“The Eagles added former Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen to start opposite Quinyon Mitchell, but Jones could play some snaps on the outside in case that move doesn’t pan out.”
Eagles Sign CB Jonathan Jones to 1-Year Contract: Report
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Woolen’s deal in Philadelphia is worth up to $15 million. Jones also received a 1-year contract from the Eagles, but insiders have yet to confirm the financial details.
More than likely, that means Jones will be making league minimum or close to it.
Such a contract would make Jones a very low risk addition. More than likely, he will provide valuable experience at his low price.
Jones has appeared in 144 NFL games, starting 78 of them. He continued to split his time as a starter and reserve cornerback last season in Washington, which is a role he could very well play again in Philadelphia.
The 32-year-old could also play on special teams although he did that more often earlier in his career.
During 2024, Jones started 14 games for the Patriots. He registered 58 combined tackles with six pass defenses and two forced fumbles.
Jones was mostly a reserve cornerback for the Patriots on their last two Super Bowl teams (2016 and 2018). As an undrafted free agent in 2016, he made the roster mostly as a special teams contributor.
In 2018, Jones started five contests and recorded seven pass defenses with three interceptions over 16 games.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones’s prime was 2019-23. From 2022-24, he started at least 14 games every season.
During his lone campaign starting 16 games in 2022, Jones registered 69 combined tackles, 11 pass defenses and four interceptions.
Eagles CB Depth Entering 2026
As Steele explained, cornerback was an underrated need for the Eagles entering NFL free agency.
All-Pro cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are set to return for the Eagles. But Philadelphia required another starter, as DeJean mostly plays in the slot.
In the best case scenario, Woolen will start opposite Mitchell with DeJean at nickel back. DeJean can also play safety, but again, to move him around, the Eagles need another cornerback to lock down the spot opposite Mitchell.
Jones gives the Eagles another option. Woolen did lose his starting job with the Seahawks last season.
Steele sees Jones potentially playing in front of other returning Eagles cornerbacks Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett.
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