The playmaking wide receiver and special teams returner has agreed in principle to a new four-year deal on the same day he was visiting the New York Giants.
Jones' deal is for $14 million with $4.5 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson.
Keeping Jones maintains the Ravens’ big-play threat on offense, and a difference-maker as a returner.
With rumors swirling of the Ravens being possible suitors for other free agent wide receivers, keeping Jones marks the third offensive player Baltimore has re-signed already this offseason, following tight end
Jones, 29, has had a memorable and impactful couple years with the Ravens, topped by his performance in Super Bowl XLVII.
He caught a 56-yard touchdown pass in which he fell to his back and still scampered into the end zone. Then he returned the second half’s opening kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown. Many fans thought he should have been the game’s MVP.
Jones had a tough start to last year. He suffered a knee injury in the season opener in Denver, knocking him out of four games and hurting his chances of stepping into the No. 2 wide receiver role.
Jones still flashed his big-play potential on offense, scoring a 66-yard touchdown against the New York Jets and finishing with 37 catches for 455 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. He was also still an explosive returner.
He nearly brought back a kickoff for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, only to have Head Coach Mike Tomlin step on the field. The next week, Jones returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown in a snowstorm against the Minnesota Vikings.
Jones finished the season ranked fourth in the NFL in average yards per kickoff return (28.8). He averaged a career-high 12.5 yards per punt return as well.
The Ravens and Jones expressed interest in staying together throughout the free agency process. Jones called new Ravens Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak, who drafted, coached and mentored Jones for five years in Houston, his “biological father.”
Jones is also a well-liked character in the locker room and with fans. The perennial jokester starred on “Dancing With The Stars” after his Super Bowl breakout, and is beloved for his end-zone dance moves. He’ll be showing them off more in Baltimore for years to come.
