Report: James Jones Leaves Packers to Sign with Raiders

Jones signed a three-year deal to be reunited with former Packers executive Reggie McKenzie in Oakland.

From Adam Schefter of ESPN:

Financial details of the contract have not been disclosed.

Jones spent the first seven seasons of his career all in Green Bay, including being part of the team's Super Bowl XLV victory in 2010.

While never the team's No. 1 wide receiver, James Jones molded himself into a valuable contributor to the Packers' aerial attack since being a third round draft choice in 2007, first as a target of quarterback Brett Favre in his rookie season and later to Aaron Rodgers.

In the aftermath of the team's Super Bowl win, Jones found little interest on the free agent market, returning to the Packers on a three-year contract worth $9.7 million. A similar situation played out this season with Jones not being part of the first wave of free agency that saw many mega-deals being signed across the league.

Perhaps Jones' best season came in 2012 when he led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns. He also had a career-high 64 catches for 784 yards as Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson battled with injuries throughout the year. For his efforts, Jones was named a Packers' postseason captain.

This past season Jones had another solid year, on par with many of his in Green Bay, grabbing 59 passes for 817 yards and three touchdowns.

Over time, Jones worked on curbing his dropped passes, which occurred too frequently in his first few seasons in the NFL. His dropped pass totals fell from a career-high 10 in 2009 to just three in 2013, according to ProFootballFocus.com (premium content).

Without knowing the exact terms of his contract, the Packers very likely will receive a compensatory draft choice in 2015 by virtue of losing Jones in free agency. Jones is the second unrestricted free agent the Packers have lost this offseason, both on the offensive side of the football, joining Evan Dietrich-Smith, who inked a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jones joins a productive bunch of receivers in Oakland that also includes Rod Streater and Denarius Moore but a question mark at quarterback where Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin are fighting for the job. He'll be reunited with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, who was a personnel excutive in Green Bay for much of Jones' career.

Moving to the Bay Area also signifies a homecoming for Jones, who played his college football at San Jose State and grew up in the area. Jones' overcame a chilhood with occasional bouts of homelessnes to make it to the NFL.

The Packers appeared willing to let Jones leave in free agency after the emergence of Jarrett Boykin last season when he caught 49 passes for 681 yards and three touchdowns in the first extended playing time of his burgeoning career.

Rodgers will lean heavily on a group in 2014 that includes Boykin, Nelson and Randall Cobb.

Brian Carriveau is the author of the book "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," and editor of Cheesehead TV's "Pro Football Draft Preview." To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (14)

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Imma Fubared's picture

March 17, 2014 at 05:52 pm

I'm shocked. I didn't think anyone wanted him with all the receivers in the draft and out looking for work

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Jordan's picture

March 17, 2014 at 05:57 pm

The Raiders had $64 million at the start of free agency. An NFL record. They have absolutely nothing to lose by signing him. At some point, they'll need to get to 89% of salary cap. Same as Jacksonville.

Even if they cut him, it won't hurt their record available salary cap.

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Jordan's picture

March 17, 2014 at 06:00 pm

Usually when an agent doesn't release the numbers on the deal right away, they ain't real proud.

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ShawnO's picture

March 17, 2014 at 06:14 pm

This is simple, the packers have for some reason been almost looking for a way to get rid of the guy(not sure why). Every year the Pack have had roomers of looking for a trading partner to get rid of him. Now that he has the chance to leave he is taking advantage of it. They have not treated him well and I would leave too.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 17, 2014 at 06:28 pm

SAY IT AIN'T SO JAMES!!
Say it ain't so.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 17, 2014 at 06:39 pm

Good for James Jones. I wish him the best and I hope the Raiders can get him a decent QB. That's how GJ was supposed to exit.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 17, 2014 at 07:20 pm

Good for James Jones. I hope Reggie McKenzie unloaded too much of the Raiders ridiculous amount of available cap space.

But if I had to bet over/under compared to his last 3 yr deal, I'd bet under.

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Ibleedgreenmore's picture

March 17, 2014 at 07:51 pm

Truly wish JJ the best he is was a great Packer player made some fab catches.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 17, 2014 at 09:02 pm

ESPN has Reported, JJ signed a 3 yr deal for 11.3 MILL. I don't know how much gauranteed?? Good for you James. You DESERVE IT!!.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 17, 2014 at 09:08 pm

Wow, that's a lot better deal than I would have guessed. Good for him, indeed. He's about as far from a Diva WR as you can get.

As Jordan mentioned above, the Raiders have more cap room than they can possibly spend. There are worse ways to overspend than on a guy that is going to be a positive in the locker room.

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Clay Zombo's picture

March 17, 2014 at 09:16 pm

James Jones was treated very fairly by the Packers in my opinion. They drafted in the 3rd round, gave him plenty of playing time even when he was Mr. Dropsies and re-signed him when he had no suitors 3 years ago.

Any trade talk was because of the abundance of WRs the Packers had and his penchant for dropping sure TDs. made him the ideal one to trace for the fans. He fixed that part of his game and became very reliable. The Raiders are getting a solid number 2 WR and veteran leader.

Thank you James for all your contributions to our beloved Packers. Go forth and prosper.

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Irish_Cheesehead's picture

March 18, 2014 at 07:13 am

Was hoping we would get him back on the cheap, but not a surprise where he ended up. I'm sure he's glad to be back in northern CA.

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Packatron's picture

March 18, 2014 at 10:05 am

James Jones was a true professional. Quiet. Went about his business. Made some great plays. And wasn't the "Me first" diva WR that has become commonplace in the NFL. Wish him all the best.

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LASVEGAS-TOM's picture

March 18, 2014 at 10:44 pm

Channel 2 WBAY sports tonight, said JJ's contract was 3 yr's for 10 MILL with 3.8 guaranteed. ESPN yesterday said it was 3 yr's for 11.3 MILL

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