Adam Jones isn’t planning on leaving Cincinnati any time soon, as the veteran defensive back agreed to a three-year extension with the Cincinnati Bengals.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, veteran cornerback Adam Jones has decided to remain with the Cincinnati Bengals, signing a three-year deal to stay with the team.
3-year contract for #Bengals & CB Adam Jones has finally been signed a week after agreeing to terms. Language & payout dates were finalized.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2016
While Jones will play the next three seasons for the Bengals into his mid-30s, the nine-year NFL veteran is arguably still in his prime as a high end defensive back in this league. Jones is coming off his first trip to the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was named to an All-Pro team in 2014.
He’s been able to turn his career around since arriving in Cincinnati in 2010 at 27 years old. The former No. 6 overall selection by the Tennessee Titans in the 2005 NFL Draft had a tumultuous first five years as a professional after leaving West Virginia University with great promise.
Jones had legal and personal issues that ultimately caused him to miss the 2007 and 2009 NFL seasons. Though he’s had a checkered past, Pacman has become an important part of the Bengals defense the last six seasons, as Cincinnati has made the AFC Playoffs five straight years.
Jones helps the Bengals both in coverage and in the return game as an important piece for Marvin Lewis’ contending football team. While Cincinnati blew a great chance at an AFC Playoffs victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers last season, one has to believe that the Bengals’ deep roster is strong enough to contend in the AFC again in 2016.
While Jones will be under contract in Cincinnati through the 2018 NFL season at age 35, he’s the type of player that can still play with great energy and at an elite level into his mid-30s. He’s a huge part of what the Bengals do defensively and Cincinnati is lucky to have re-signed him to an extension.
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