Josh Jones discusses tough journey prior to joining Jags
While he was drafted in the second-round by a great franchise in the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars safety Josh Jones had a rough start to his career before coming to Duval. As a selection of the 2017 draft class, Jones’ career in Green Bay only lasted two years.
During his offseason in 2019 with the Packers, the relationship between both parties simply began to fracture as Jones voiced his displeasure about the amount of playing time he received. That set the stage for him to miss voluntary OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.
Jones eventually returned for training camp but was buried on the depth chart behind Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage, both of whom are still starters. Afterward, Jones ended up on waivers after a fight with a teammate in June and missing some practices with an illness in August, kicking off a very uncertain point of his career.
“It’s been a long journey, kind of short in the span of four years, but it’s been tough,” Jones said this week to the Jacksonville media. “There’s some ups and downs but I wouldn’t want it any [other] way. I believe in [that] you go through what you go through because you need to know what you know. Now, I’m in a place where my coaches believe in me and it just makes it easier for me.”
After making it through times of uncertainty and having his first few NFL seasons to reflect on, Jones has benefitted from many teaching moments. He also now has the luxury of passing them down to the rest of the Jags’ roster, which is the youngest in the league.
“I went through a lot of stuff and now I’m able to pass it on to the younger guys, the younger rookies now and say, ‘Hey, just learn to appreciate this game’ because 365 days ago I was on the outside looking in and I never want anyone to go through that because if you love the game as much as I love the game, I was in a very, very dark place 365 days ago and to be in this position, the only person I can thank is God,” Jones added.
Jones eventually ended up with the Jags at the end of the 2019 season and seemingly let his rough past in the league fuel him. With a re-established focus, he was able to put together a offseason that would make him a starter in Jacksonville playing in a scheme that he feels he’s a great fit for.
“You know what, to be honest, coming out of the draft, I always said ‘This is kind of the scheme that Seattle won big with’ so I always said, ‘This is the system I need to be in.’ I always spoke it into existence,” Jones said. “I always spoke it into the universe and here I am. It fits my skill set: a guy that can run sideline to sideline, a guy that’s [as] athletic as I am.”
Jones’ comfort in the scheme was on display Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts as he led the team in tackles with 12. He was also able to register a 70.3 grade via Pro Football Focus, which is an encouraging sign to enter the season.
Jones will have another opportunity to continue to turn heads this Sunday with Derrick Henry lining up behind center. If the Jags are to win, chances are Jones will play a key role as he helped them tremendously against the run Week 1.
