(610 Sports) – The Kansas City Chiefs are bringing in former Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones III. The veteran running back can earn up to $5 million on the one-year deal, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Jones signing comes on the heels of WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing a 3-year $30 million deal with the Chiefs, on Thursday.
Jones, a second-round draft selection by the Buccaneers in 2018, has had an up-and-down career during his four seasons in the NFL. Following back-to-back seasons with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2019 and 2020, Jones saw his usage decrease significantly in 2021. Jones went from 192 carries and 42 targets in 2020, to 101 carries and 13 targets 2021, while mostly backing up Leonard Fournette in Tampa Bay.
Jones has shown ability in both the running and passing game, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and catching 76 passes for 571 yards in his career.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is incumbent starter at running back for the chiefs but Jones should be able to compete for backup carries with Derrick Gore. Jerrick McKinnon and Darrell Williams both remain free-agents and the signing of Jones seems to signal that a return to the Chiefs is unlikely for the two.