Just like with all of us civilians, the key for NFL players is employment. Wherever you can get it.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Deion Jones continued his NFL employment in pretty epic fashion on Friday by signing with the New Orleans Saints and pulling off a rare feat.
“The Saints are signing veteran linebacker Deion Jones to a one-year deal,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on Friday. “Jones now will have played for every team in the NFC South, but this might be the most meaningful. Jones was born in New Orleans, grew up there, and played high school football there before attending LSU.”
Jones, 31, was a 2nd-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2016 NFL Draft and was a plug-and-play starter as a rookie when he led the NFL with 165 return yards on 3 interceptions. He played 6 seasons for the Falcons before spending 1 season with the Cleveland Browns in 2022, 1 season with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, and then the last 2 seasons with the Buccaneers.
In 2025, Jones played all 17 regular-season games for the Buccaneers in a primarily backup and special-teams role. He finished the season with 29 tackles.
Through his 1st 10 NFL seasons, Jones has career earnings of approximately $52.3 million.
Bucs Underwent Almost Complete LB Overhaul
Buccaneers fans might not recognize the group of inside linebackers the team trots out for the 2026 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
After the retirement of legendary linebacker and defensive centerpiece Lavonte David, the Buccaneers not only signed a pair of starters in free agency with Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, but also drafted a firestarter in the 2nd round with Mizzou inside linebacker Josiah Trotter.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton put Trotter at the top of his list of rookies who could be Day 1 starters in 2026.
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may start a new inside linebacker tandem in the upcoming season,” Moton wrote. “Last year, Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis manned those positions. The former retired, and the latter has competition for the other spot. The Buccaneers signed linebacker Alex Anzalone to a two-year, $17 million deal. He’ll likely start. The club selected Josiah Trotter in the second round of the draft. Of course, Trotter has pro linebacker bloodlines. He’s the son of 12-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, though the 21-year-old made a name for himself on the collegiate level … if he’s able to showcase his ability to handle coverage assignments, the rookie will push Dennis and beat out free-agent acquisition Christian Rozeboom for a starting role.”
$52 Million Buccaneers LB Signs With Hated NFC Rival