Story update: DJ Jones was asked about NFL Network’s report during his introductory press conference on Thursday. This was his response: “I wouldn’t say there was more money on the table — and go all the way into the money and everything. I’ll let you all write the stories. But Russell Wilson was a big part of the reason I came here.” See our original post below.
The Denver Broncos agreed to terms on a three-year, $30 million contract with defensive lineman DJ Jones earlier this week. That’s an average of $10 million per season — not a small price — but Jones apparently could have earned more from another team.
Peter Schrager of Fox Sports said on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” show on Tuesday that Jones “was offered more elsewhere” but still chose to sign with Denver. Schrager tweeted about it on Tuesday, calling it the “Russell Wilson Effect.”
As Schrager noted, the Broncos had a similar draw for free agents when Peyton Manning was their quarterback and the team landed free agents including DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, Emmanuel Sanders, Wes Welker and T.J. Ward.
Now that Denver has Wilson, the team is an attractive destination for free agents again, so much so that Jones picked the Broncos over higher pay.
This is a development that fans in Denver will love to see, and it’s something that could be a trend for as long as Wilson is a Bronco.
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