The Bengals have signed CB Sidney Jones to a 1 year deal.
It is their second new addition to the secondary. Jones was originally a 2nd round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. His play over his first three years was inconsistent, largely due to injuries, which resulted in him being waived by the Eagles prior to the 2020 season.
Jones then spent some time with the Jaguars, before eventually being traded to the Seahawks in 2021. Things picked up for him that year in Seattle, and his play became better and more consistent.
Unfortunately, injuries plagued Jones in Seattle the next year, which led to his release. He then ended up with the Raiders, but did not particularly stand out.
With Chidobe Awuzie set to return from injury, and Cam Taylor-Britt poised to take over the other starting spot, Jones adds veteran depth to the CB room. It is a cheap signing on a talented player that has largely been hamstrung by injuries up to this point.
Jones has coverage talent, but his play against the run, and as a tackler on quick passes, especially stands out. I imagine his downhill ability was a big factor that attracted Lou Anarumo. As well, he has inside/outside versatility, which is handy, especially for a depth player.
It is unclear if this move closes the door on Eli Apple being re-signed. Talent wise, Jones is more than capable of filling the CB3 role. However, given his injury history, reliability comes into question. If Apple can be had at a good price, bringing him back should certainly still be on the table.
