After being released by the Baltimore Ravens, veteran wide receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones is out on the interview trail, with the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals showing the most interest in adding him on.
Jones would have made $3.3 million next season for the Ravens, but cutting him only saved them $750,000 in terms of cap space due to dead money. Still, it probably made some sense to release a player who is going to turn 31 very soon, and is quite expensive for a position that’s not too difficult to find someone else for, with Michael Campanaro, a seventh round pick from last year being the leading candidate.
Jones isn’t going to stay out of a job for long. He has returned at least one kick or punt for a touchdown in each of the last four seasons, and had himself a big moment in the Super Bowl two years ago. Playing for the Ravens over the last three years, he has returned four kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown in the regular season. He’s not useless in the passing game as well, but was targeted only 18 times last season (nine receptions), good enough for 131 receiving yards.
Because Jones was released and didn’t become a free agent “naturally” he is allowed to talk to teams before the official starting date, and can sign with teams before the March 10 opening date. Right now the Bengals and Titans are the only teams setting up visits for him, but that might change very soon when teams finally figure out what and who they want to sign.