Patriots lock up Marcus Jones amid standout season

Marcus Jones has taken his game to another level under Mike Vrabel, and the New England Patriots are rewarding him for it.

As reported Tuesday by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Pats have agreed to a three-year extension with Jones. A 2022 third-round pick out of Houston, Jones was in the middle of the final year of his rookie contract. He's now under contract through 2028.

According to Rapoport, it's a three-year extension for up to $36 million in "new money." (UPDATE: According to Field Yates, the deal actually has "upside" of $40.5 million, which could make $36M closer to the base value.) Jones, 27, has played in all eight games for the Patriots in 2025 with five starts, and has already broken up nine passes, one short of his career-best total for a single season. He's also made two interceptions and a sack while playing 76% of defensive snaps, which would also be a new career-high. In addition, his 36 total tackles are pacing to set a new high mark. And on top of emerging as a defensive standout for Vrabel's new-look unit, Jones remains arguably the NFL's most dangerous punt returner, leading the league with 21.6 yards per return. He's one of only six players to return a punt for a touchdown so far.

Jones is even earning high marks among the advanced analytics crowd. Entering Week 9, he ranks sixth among all cornerbacks with at least 100 snaps in the slot with a 70.3 overall grade at Pro Football Focus. His 80.6 passer rating allowed ranks 37th among all cornerbacks across the league. Jones is PFF's highest-graded punt returner with an elite 91.3.

The only player to emerge from the Patriots' 2022 draft class with any value, Jones is now set to spend his prime years in New England. And it appears Vrabel and his staff have unlocked a new gear for the talented, versatile corner.