Byron Jones exits Dallas Cowboys for Miami Dolphins, becomes richest CB in NFL history
Dallas Cowboys free agent cornerback Byron Jones is out of the door, as expected.
Jones agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins on the first day day of legal tampering.
The deal can’t be official until the start of free agency on Wednesday.
He is expected to become the league’s highest paid cornerback, getting a whopping five-year, $82.5 million deal with $57 million guaranteed, including $40 million in the first two years, according to ESPN.
Jones offered a farewell to the Cowboys on Instagram.
“My time as a Dallas Cowboy has come to an end, “ Jones said as part of his statement. “I’ll miss the hell outta you maniacs but I’ll be rooting for you guys from afar. Continue to prosper and I’ll do the same.”
Jones’ departure comes as no surprise as the Cowboys made no effort to keep him.
They understood his potential price tag on the free agent market and chose to focus their energy on trying to re-sign quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver Amari Cooper.
Jones was picked in the first round in 2015. He spent his first two years at safety before moving to cornerback in 2018 and thriving the last two seasons.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2018 and entered free agency as the No. 1 player at his position on the market.
The new deal is expected to surpass his new Dolphins teammate Xavien Howard ($15.1 million annually), as the league’s top paid cornerback.
The loss of Jones puts cornerback at the top of the list of Cowboys needs for free agency and the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Former Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris is a veteran option on the market.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 6:37 PM.
