On Tuesday, the Patriots confirmed multiple media reports that cornerback/return man Marcus Jones has agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension, keeping the former All-Pro returner in New England through the end of the 2028 season.
As of publishing, compensation on Jones’ new deal is not yet known.
Playing in the slot corner position, the 27-year-old is having his best season defensively since being drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Through Week 8, Jones has 2 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 36 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and 1 sack.
He also continues to show week after week why he was worthy of All-Pro selection in his rookie season on special teams, as he leads the NFL at 21.6 yards per punt return. On 10 punt returns this season, he’s racked up 216 yards and a touchdown.
Whether Jones was balling out through eight games because he was in a contract year, or it was just a case of a guy in his fourth season finally putting all the pieces together, the Houston-product has become a mainstay in the “Ups” section of our weekly “Ups & Downs” columns on Sundays. His impact on the game for this team in two different phases of the game has become undeniable.
Best of all, the 5-foot-8 corner has remained humble as his profile has grown, with 2025 being his first as a team captain.
When speaking to the media on Monday at Gillette Stadium, Jones was told he now ranks fourth in the NFL in pass breakups, and was asked if he pays attention to that type of stuff.
“Naw, I really don’t,” Jones said from the podium. “I just try to take advantage of the opportunities that I get out there on the field, and have fun with my bros, for real.”
Him and his “bros” have the Patriots defense ranked 11th overall through eight weeks. And if they can get out of their bad habit of allowing their opponent to score early during the typically-scripted portion of their offensive game plan, that number would be even higher.
Jones and the Patriots are currently 5.5-point favorites in Week 9 with the Falcons coming to town. You can get them on the moneyline at -240, and the total sits at 45.5.
Tune in each and every Monday throughout the football season to Patriots Monday on WEEI. Head coach Mike Vrabel joins The Greg Hill Show at 6:30 a.m. ET, and quarterback Drake Maye joins WEEI Afternoons.