Bengals Undecided On Adam Jones Return

Adam Jones‘ recent arrest casts a shadow over his status with the 2017 Bengals. Despite the Bengals having signed the 33-year-old cornerback to a three-year deal last year, team sources told Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer a consensus about Jones’ status in Cincinnati next season hasn’t been determined.

The controversial corner signed a $22MM deal last March, but this event could end his time with the Bengals. Jones may face a suspension for his actions on Jan. 3, and the Bengals do not plan to finalize their decision on Jones returning until a review of all the information surrounding the case concludes, Owczarski reports. The team has yet to make any public comments, other than an apology on Jan. 23, but is considering a potential future without him.

Cutting Jones before June 1 would save the Bengals $6.8MM while costing them $1.3MM in 2017 dead money. Cincinnati’s employed Jones since 2010 and has Dre Kirkpatrick as an impending UFA. But the Bengals still employ two former first-round picks in Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson III. Jones and Kirkpatrick rated as the Bengals’ top corners in 2016 in the opinion of Pro Football Focus, with 2015 fourth-rounder Josh Shaw being tabbed as the team’s No. 3 most productive player there.

Jones faces a felony charge for harassment with a bodily substance, along with misdemeanor charges for assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing police. He will turn 34 in September.

 

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