According to reports veteran wide receiver James Jones agreed to a one year deal with the San Diego Chargers. He had previously signed a one-year, $870,000 contract with the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 off-season. Financial terms of the deal were not released, but we will update this story when they become available.
The #Chargers are signing WR James Jones, source said. Another veteran weapon for Philip Rivers
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2016
James Jones Signs With San Diego Chargers
His ninth season in the NFL was his most productive. He certainly made the most of returning to the team he had played for during the first seven years of his career. Jones finished the regular season with eight touchdowns and 890 receiving yards at an average of 17.8 yards per catch. The latter two were career highs.
A knee injury (torn meniscus) suffered in training camp by Chargers wide receiver Stevie Johnson was a key factor in this move. The injury to Johnson is expected to keep him out of action long term. As such the Chargers have added another receiver to their passing attack.
The 31-year-old had signed a three-year contract with the Oakland Raiders during 2014 free agency. In his lone season there, he caught 73 passes for 666 yards and six touchdowns. But when the Raiders signed Michael Crabtree from the San Francisco 49ers and drafted Amari Cooper in the first round of the NFL Draft, Jones was considered expendable and subsequently released.
During his previous stint with the Packers, Jones had 600 or more receiving yards in five of his seven seasons. His best year arguably came in 2012. He started all 16 games during the regular season and finished with 784 yards receiving and an NFL-best 14 touchdown receptions.
Two years earlier, he caught two touchdown passes in the postseason en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XLV. There, the Packers defeated the Steelers 31-25. Jones had five catches for 50 yards in the game.
The Santa Clara, CA native played collegiately at San Jose State. He had 70 catches for 893 yards and ten touchdowns during his senior season. In the inaugural New Mexico, he had a 100+ yard, two touchdown performance and took home game MVP honors. The Packers would pick him in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
2016 will be Jones’ tenth season in the league.
