Miami Dolphins to sign Byron Jones: Grade, reaction and more
By John Buhler
Byron Jones will leave the Dallas Cowboys to sign with the Miami Dolphins as a free agent, poised to become the highest paid cornerback in the league.
The Dallas Cowboys jeopardized their free agency plans last offseason and now have to pay a price for their actions. Despite being a former Pro Bowler who doesn’t miss games, former Cowboys first-round cornerback Byron Jones is quite literally taking his talents to South Beach.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Jones will sign with the Dolphins once the league year officially opens on Wednesday afternoon. Rapoport added Jones will be the highest paid cornerback in football and will be making upwards of $17 million annually on his new deal with the Dolphins.
In five years with the Cowboys, Jones played in 79 games, making 73 starts. The former UConn Huskies star had 349 total tackles in Cowboys uniform, as well as 43 pass breakups and three forced fumbles. However, Jones only has two career interceptions to his name. For a guy to be the highest paid cornerback in football and only average 0.4 picks per year isn’t what you should want.
Here are the contract details, the national reaction and a grade to Jones joining the Dolphins.
Contract Details
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it’s a five-year deal worth $82.5 million, $57 million guaranteed. He added $40 million of the deal will be going Jones’ way in the first two years of the contract. Miami has the cap space to make this deal, not to mention how far this dollar amount will go in a state with no income tax. Jones got paid a ludicrous amount of money. Good for him.
National Reaction
Source: The #Dolphins are getting #Cowboys FA CB Byron Jones. A massive deal for the now highest-paid corner.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020
Byron Jones’ new contract with the Dolphins will be a five-year, $82.5 million deal, including $57 million guaranteed, per source. It includes $40 million in first two years.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020
Byron Jones... congratulations brotha well deserved
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) March 16, 2020
When the Cowboys let Amari Cooper and Byron Jones become free agents for nothing in return pic.twitter.com/6Yz8iCLgLq
— Cameron Magruder (@ScooterMagruder) March 16, 2020
So by signing Byron Jones from Dallas the Dolphins to pair with Xavien Howard the now have the two highest paid cornerbacks in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/BbiOoPM9G0
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) March 16, 2020
The Dolphins had themselves quite the day in the tampering period. Not only did they get the best cornerback on the market, but they landed defensive end Shaq Lawson, offensive tackle Ereck Flowers and special teams ace Clayton Fejedelem. Miami was swimming in cap space this offseason. With more than any other team, they were willing to pay a premium for Jones.
Next: NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Defenders of All-Time
While he doesn’t grab interceptions, pairing Jones with Xavien Howard at cornerback should make the Dolphins secondary extra special in 2020. Though they parted ways with safety Reshad Jones, Miami replaces a Jones with another Jones in an effort to keep up with the Joneses.
It is an absurd amount of money for a guy who can’t pick the ball off, but what a splash for the Dolphins here.