Ronald Jones‘ second Super Bowl ring did not involve many miles added to his odometer. The Chiefs largely used other backs ahead of the former Buccaneers second-round pick, but he will land another opportunity.
The Cowboys are signing Jones on Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Jones met with the team Monday and agreed to a one-year deal. This signing comes days after Dallas separated from Ezekiel Elliott. While the door is not believed to be slammed shut on the seven-year vet re-signing at a (significantly) reduced rate, another veteran coming in does not improve the prospects of a quick reunion.
In what amounted to a mid-career redshirt season, Jones logged just 17 carries for 70 yards with the Chiefs. Kansas City did end up replacing Clyde Edwards-Helaire as its primary starter, but seventh-round rookie Isiah Pacheco stepped in. Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon operated as the Super Bowl champions’ top backs. Although Jones dressed for Super Bowl LVII, he did not see any action.
Jones, 25, contributed far more to the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV-winning season in 2020, leading the team with 978 rushing yards at 5.1 per carry. He ripped off a 98-yard run against the Panthers that season and enjoyed a three-game stretch in which he cleared the 100-yard barrier in each. Even as Jones’ career-best season came after a 724-yard year in 2019, the Bucs leaned on Leonard Fournette in those playoffs and veered further in that direction in 2021. Jones did rush for 61 yards in Super Bowl LV, but aside from Fournette’s late-season injury in 2022, he never regained his job in Tampa.
The USC product will join Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle as Tony Pollard‘s backups. The Cowboys’ Elliott release ensured the 2022 Pro Bowler will be the team’s centerpiece back next season. The Cowboys kept Pollard’s mileage low (631 career touches) during his rookie contract, so it will be interesting to see if they give Jones a legitimate opportunity to be a between-the-tackles complement or lean more on Pollard going forward. Jones’ 2022, however, certainly does not ensure he will be the team’s first choice to become Pollard’s top backup.
the new Zeke ‼️
Jones is a little bit contact shy. So was Tony Dorsett. Backs live longer that way. Dallas might be a good landing spot, if Jones still has some of his USC college wiggle and Dallas uses Jones correctly (running mostly for the sidelines and facing off against defensive backs as a pass catcher). Jones was considered potential first round material in his draft, a very exciting take it to the house back, equally a threat as a pass catcher.
What Jones is not is a Derek Henry/Leonard Fournette/Brian Robinson bruiser of a back.
A relatively injury free career plus lightly used recently. Not a Cowboys fan, but like this move. An experienced placeholder with fresh legs in beginning of season if Pollard’s injury unexpectedly takes longer to heal.
I’ve always like Rojo- if he was a better receiver he would have kept the job in Tampa as he is a better runner of the football than Leonard Fornette. I was hoping the Bengals would take a flyer on him.