Although cornerback Adam Jones was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors and a felony (the latter of which was later dropped) earlier this year, Bengals owner/general manager Mike Brown is standing behind the 10-year pro, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Based on Brown’s comments, it sounds exceedingly unlikely the Bengals will part ways with Jones this offseason.
“It’s a bigger picture than one incident,” said Brown. “And I get to be the one that sits in the chair to decide [Jones’ fate]. So I have chosen to decide it the way I am deciding it. I’m going to give him a chance. I hope it comes out right for him, for his family and for us. I know there are critics. I understand. But that is a full answer.
“I’m not condoning his actions. They were in all honesty embarrassing. He was out of control. He misbehaved. He made a fool of himself. No one knows that more than he does…He knows full well what he has done to himself. He regrets it. But it’s been made into a public issue and maybe I am overly tolerant. If so, so be it.”
Jones has a history of off-field incidents here, but it’s only fair to note that — until recently — Jones had stayed out of trouble for a good amount of time. But his most recent incident, which included an alleged assault, disorderly conduct, and an extremely unbecoming encounter while in police custody, was especially disturbing, and the Bengals understandably hadn’t made a decision on Jones’ future with the club as of late January.
Now, Jones figures to return to Cincinnati as a starting corner opposite the recently re-signed Dre Kirkpatrick. Jones, 33, posted a down season in 2016, grading as only the league’s No. 37 cornerback, per Pro Football Focus. But most of the Bengals’ cornerback unit is inexperienced, so Jones will add a veteran presence to a group that includes Darqueze Dennard, Josh Shaw, and Willam Jackson III. Jones will count for $8.167MM on Cincinnati’s salary cap in 2017
How could you defend a guy who wish a cop dead!! Mike brown is a complete idiot!! Can’t support ignorance!! Instead of being made an example of, He is given yet another chance!! Disgraceful!!
Exactly why I stopped supporting this team and followed Zimmer to Minnesota.
8mil for this? Maybe they should have inquired about Sherman.
Yeah, this is guy to you put your name on…
As a Steelers fan it’s wonderful to watch the Bengals implode. What a moron!
Ok what is it with front office people named Brown in Ohio? The Browns Brown wants to keep Gordon and Cincys Brown is backing Jones. Which is more ridiculous?
While I respect Mike Brown’s willingness to give a man a break, he’s completely missed the mark with Jones. He’s continually done the same stupid things time after time with the same “I’m so sorry, that was a mistake” song and dance every time. We watched him do this exact kind of garbage in Nashville til they finally ran him out of town.
I do love the “but it’s only fair to note that — until recently — Jones had stayed out of trouble for a good amount of time. ” Most people don’t ever have this or similar charges brought against them let alone multiple times. In my humble opinion it’s not fair to note that. Lets say someone who has never had charges brought against them would that be mentioned?
While I do admire acts of second chances and grace, Mike Brown clearly has not learned his lesson when it comes to guys with character issues. Also having Jones on the roster takes more playing time away from William Jackson III