The San Francisco 49ers made a trade with the New Orleans Saints to acquire veteran LB Deion Jones for RB Zamir White on Sunday.
Jones played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. The LB played in all 17 regular-season games. He recorded 29 combined tackles.
The veteran linebacker is entering his 11th season in the NFL. Jones signed a one-year contract with the Saints this offseason.
He has spent six years with the Atlanta Falcons, two with the Cleveland Browns, one with the Carolina Panthers and the last two with the Buccaneers.
Jones gets to reunite with his former Atlanta defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, in San Francisco.
Meanwhile, White has tallied 14 carries for 30 rushing yards in the 49ers’ two preseason games. San Francisco signed the RB to a one-year contract this offseason.
Extended Look At Deion Jones’ Career
Jones was effective early in his career. He finished third for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2016.
He followed it up by earning Pro Bowl honors in his second season in the NFL. He recorded 138 tackles and 10 tackles for loss with the Falcons that year.
But Jones has only started 8 games in his last four seasons.
GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 19: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against Deion Jones #45 of the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of the game at Levi’s Stadium on December 19, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Looking at the 49ers Linebacker Room
Star linebacker Fred Warner leads the 49ers’ linebacker group and the defense as a whole. Warner is returning from a season-ending ankle injury suffered in Week 6 of the 2025 season.
The four-time Pro Bowler will man one of the linebacker positions.
The 49ers also signed former San Francisco LB Dre Greenlaw to a one-year contract this offseason.
Greenlaw spent last season with the Denver Broncos but only played in 8 regular-season games. The 28-year-old will reunite with Warner to form a solid tandem.
However, the 49ers have limited unproven depth behind Warner and Greenlaw.
Luke Gifford, Tatum Bethune and Garret Wallow all saw extended playing time after Warner went down with an injury.
The 49ers drafted Nick Martin in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but he has yet to play meaningful snaps for the 49ers.
San Francisco then took Jaden Duggar in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Duggar has flashed during the offseason but is still a rookie.
Jones can provide veteran experience within the linebacker group.
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 31: Deion Jones #54 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after sacking Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Social Media Reactions to 49ers Trade
David Lombardi of the San Francisco Standard: “The 49ers trade for a veteran Raheem Morris guy — Deion Jones was with Atlanta when Morris was the DC there. And they pay next to nothing to get it: Zamir White wasn’t projected to make the roster anyway.”
Jeff Mueller: “LB Nick Martin picked up a hamstring injury and has struggled to stay healthy. Deion Jones reunites with Raheem Morris for practically free. Zamir White likely would’ve been cut. Devin Neal, Audric Estime & Alvin Kamara all injured for the Saints.”
OurSF49ers: “Jones had his best season in the league when he played for Morris in Atlanta.”
TRADE: 49ers Acquire 10-Year LB From the New Orleans Saints