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Former Patriots Super Bowl Champion Flies Himself To Sign Contract With New Team
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- Former Patriots Super Bowl Champion Flies Himself To Sign Contract With New Team
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Former longtime New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones officially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday.
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The 32-year-old took an unconventional approach in his arrival with his new team, flying himself to Philadelphia ahead of the contract signing.
"Jones, an NFL defensive back and licensed pilot, flew himself to Philadelphia on Wednesday morning to sign his contract with the Eagles. He was in the cockpit of a single-engine turboprop aircraft from Charlotte, N.C., a flight that typically takes about 70-75 minutes from takeoff to landing," Eagles insider Zach Berman of The Athletic wrote on Wednesday. "A self-described 'country boy' who grew up in Carrollton, Ga., Jones said he was 'always outside' on bicycles and four-wheelers as a child. He upgraded his mode of transportation upon being exposed to general aviation, which became his new hobby while he played for the Patriots."
Jones signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in May 2016 and spent the first nine seasons of his career in New England .
He posted a career-high four interceptions during the 2022 campaign, which tied for the team lead. Jones also led the Patriots in passes defended (career-high 11) and forced fumbles (career-high three) that season.
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The Auburn product won Super Bowl rings with Tom Brady and company during his 2016 rookie campaign and at the end of the 2018 season as well.
Jones earned his pilot's license in 2023.
"Found a little passion for aviation," he said in a video conference on Wednesday, per Berman. "It's a little hobby of mine that I enjoy doing. ... Took a discovery flight and fell in love with it."
He signed with the Washington Commanders in March 2025 and finished last season with 41 tackles and five passes defended across 12 games.
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