Former Colts Starter Signs With AFC South Rival

The Indianapolis Colts recently decided that cornerback Jaylon Jones was no longer part of their plans in 2026, and after he cleared waivers and became a free agent, Jones found a new home with an AFC South rival, signing with the Tennessee Titans.

Jones reunites with Gus Bradley, who is Tennessee's new defensive coordinator after holding the same title in Indianapolis from 2022-24. The Colts parted ways with Bradley last offseason and hired Lou Anarumo, whose man-coverage-dependent system isn't as friendly for players like Jones, who are better in zone coverage.

"I really like Jaylon," Bradley said to Titans reporters on Thursday. "Big, tall corner. Lot of length to him. Physical. Did well on special teams as well. Yeah, he's got a skill set that's very intriguing. Very excited to have him."

The Colts drafted Jones (6'2", 203, 24 years old) in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft as part of an overhaul at the cornerback position. He was the third and final corner they drafted that year, but he wound up being the best of the group and stuck around the longest with the Colts.

Under Bradley, Jones became a starter as a rookie and maintained his role through 2024. In total, Jones played in 44 games (29 starts) and had 162 tackles (five for loss), one forced fumble, two interceptions, and 21 pass breakups.

Jones was hampered by a hamstring injury for much of last summer in his introduction to Anarumo's defense, and although he made the roster, he reaggravated his hamstring early in the regular season and went on Injured Reserve for several weeks.

When Jones returned, the Colts used him sparingly because the scheme fit in their new defense wasn't there. Still, in over 2,100 career defensive snaps, Jones has surrendered just 60.1% completions when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.

This preseason, the Colts' cornerback depth didn't turn out as expected, as Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards both struggled, while Jones excelled. According to PFF, Jones was tied as the Colts' best defender among players who played throughout the preseason, earning a grade of 81.2. He was targeted six times, allowing just one reception, and notching three "stops," which PFF considers to be a failed offensive play forced by a defensive player.

At cornerback, the Colts now have Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward Sr., Justin Walley, Edwards, and Kapena Gushiken on the active roster. Cam Taylor-Britt will be as well after he serves his one-game suspension to open the season. The team also has Kenneth Harris on the practice squad.

Jones joins a Titans cornerback room that received a facelift this offseason, joining Alontae Taylor, Cor'Dale Flott, Micah Robinson, and Marcus Harris. Joshua Williams is on Injured Reserve-Designated for Return, and Shemar Bartholomew and Jalen McMurray are on the practice squad.

"I think that he can get caught up pretty quickly," Bradley said of Jones. "He's played enough ball. He's been in a couple systems. So, that part of it I think he'll adjust to. He's really sharp in our meetings when we were with him. I'd think nothing less of that being the man that comes into this building as well."