Saints Sign Former Pro Bowl Linebacker to One-Year Deal

The New Orleans Saints have bolstered their defensive line by signing former Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones to a one-year contract. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news on Friday. This move brings Jones back to the NFC South, a region where he has played for all the teams. Jones, a New Orleans native, grew up in Louisiana, attended high school football there, and is now returning to his roots.

The Saints, who are thin at linebacker with Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, and backup Danny Stutsman, saw this signing as an opportunity to add veteran depth. Jones, who was a standout second-round pick for LSU in 2016, made the Pro Bowl in 2017 and received a lucrative four-year, $57 million extension in 2019. Despite his impressive career, Jones has started only three games in the past three seasons, spending most of that time on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad.

This signing offers Jones a potential path to make the 53-man roster in the latter stages of his career.