James Jones Signs 1-Year Contract with Green Bay Packers
Matt Fitzgerald@@MattFitz_gerald
Correspondent III
James Jones and the Green Bay Packers have reunited as the two sides agreed on a one-year deal on Sunday.
Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirmed the agreement, which did not come as a surprise given the day's earlier developments.
"That's the plan," Jones said via Rob Demovosky of ESPN when asked if he was going to re-sign with the Packers.
Jones comes as the Packers hope a familiar face can help ease the loss of Jordy Nelson. Nelson led Green Bay with 98 receptions, 1,519 yards and 13 receiving touchdowns last year but tore his ACL this preseason. Randall Cobb is also banged up entering Week 1's showdown with the NFC North rival Chicago Bears, so kicking the tires on Jones makes sense on the Packers' end.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hinted at the possibility even before Sunday's deal surfaced:
Jones returned to Green Bay after he was released by the New York Giants. His 2014 stint in Oakland saw him rack up a team-high 73 receptions, but that wasn't good enough to avoid being released by the Raiders in May.
New York cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie spoke highly of Jones back in August, per Giants.com's Michael Eisen:
Good veteran receiver with a lot smarts and savvy in his routes, so definitely a good fit. Looking at our receiving corps, it's guys I tend to know. When you get a guy like (Jones), old and savvy, he can teach you a lot about the game. It's always good to get a veteran like that to come in and just learn from him.
Oakland drafted Amari Cooper fourth overall and signed free agent Michael Crabtree this offseason. The Giants have the likes of Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle on the roster and didn't feel the need for Jones' services. It's reasonable to infer he may have a chip on his shoulder at this juncture.
A return to Green Bay is be ideal for Jones. His innate familiarity with the system and chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers bode well on paper. Jones was a solid contributor with the Packers in seven seasons, peaking in 2012 with 14 TD receptions.