Tag: auburn in the NFL

Jonathan Jones is the perfect ‘Patriot’

The former Auburn CB recently signed a two-year contract with New England, and head coach Bill Belichick could not be happier.

Last month, former Auburn cornerback [autotag]Jonathan Jones[/autotag] signed a two-year, $20 million contract extension to remain with the New England Patriots, and head coach Bill Belichick could not be happier.

Following the announcement of Devin McCourty’s retirement, Belichick hoped that the Patriots’ defensive backfield would remain somewhat intact, and he got his wish when Jones signed his extension.

Why is Belichick so elated to keep Jones on his roster for at least two more seasons? He says that Jones possesses qualities that he looks for when finding the perfect players to fill his roster.

“(Jones) gives us a lot of leadership and presence back there. He’s been a great player for us for a long time in a lot of different roles, including the kicking game, which is where he started,” Belichick said of Jones. “He epitomizes what we want in a Patriot player. It’s great to have him.”

Jones has just completed his seventh professional season, all with New England. He has accumulated 262 total tackles and 11 interceptions. Last season, he reached season highs in both of those categories by recording 56 and four respectively.

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Cam is back: Newton to throw at Auburn’s Pro Day

Auburn legend Cam Newton will compete in Auburn’s Pro Day in hopes to work his way back onto an NFL roster.

One of Auburn’s most electrifying players in history is returning to campus.

[autotag]Cam Newton[/autotag], the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who led the Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship, is returning to Auburn to compete in Pro Day exercises on Tuesday.

Auburn made the announcement on Twitter by showcasing special gear that Newton will wear while working out. Newton also shared the news on Twitter by tweeting a video of him inside of Auburn’s indoor practice facility.

Newton will work out in front of NFL scouts in hopes of reaching a deal with a new franchise. Newton has played 11 pro seasons, most recently with the New England Patriots in 2021, with the ten prior seasons spent with the Carolina Panthers.

He has completed 59.9% of his passes for 32,382 yards and 194 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 5,628 yards and 75 touchdowns during his pro career. Several of his accolades include winning NFL offensive rookie of the year in 2011, and MVP in 2015. He also led the Panthers to Super Bowl 50.

According to AuburnUndercover, Newton will be throwing to his brother, fellow former Tiger, [autotag]Caylin Newton[/autotag] during Pro Day exercises. Pro Day is set to begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

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Dean gambled and proved Ohio State wrong

Former Auburn CB Jamel Dean bet on himself, and now he is $52 million richer.

After spending some time in limbo, former Auburn cornerback [autotag]Jamel Dean[/autotag] recently re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a four-year, $52 million contract.

Dean, a native of Cocoa, Florida, says that he is happy that he gets to continue playing in his home state.

“I honestly didn’t want to leave,” Dean said after signing his new contract. “I’m born and raised in Florida. I’m close to home. I’m comfortable, so I was like, ‘Why would I leave?'”

Tampa Bay‘s vote of confidence in Dean is a great chapter in his comeback story. Dean suffered two crucial knee injuries in high school, then another before the 2016 season at Auburn. Prior to enrolling at Auburn, Dean originally signed with Ohio State. Due to his knee concerns, medical personnel did not clear him to play, despite getting clearance from renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

He transferred to Auburn in 2015, where he started at cornerback during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Now, he is one of the fastest defensive backs in the NFL despite his history of knee injuries.

“Honestly, I don’t know why my knees was an issue,” Dean said. “I went two seasons in college without my knees being a problem, and then when I ran the 4.30 at the combine, I was like, ‘That should eliminate the knee situation.’”

Dean’s gamble truly paid off, as he has signed his second contract with the Buccanneers. He says that he is thankful that he continued playing football despite being discouraged from his former program.

“I’m glad I didn’t quit because everything paid off,” Dean said. “I proved Ohio State wrong when they told me I had a 3 percent chance of being successful in football. So I took the gamble, and it paid off.”

In four seasons in Tampa Bay, Dean has recorded 193 tackles and seven interceptions. He, alongside fellow former Tiger [autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag], helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV.

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Jamel Dean to re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In a surprising move, Jamel Dean will be staying in Tampa Bay.

[autotag]Jamel Dean[/autotag] will not be switching teams in free agency after all.

The former Auburn corner has agreed to a four-year, $52-million deal to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Ian Rappaport of NFL Network. He has been with the Bucs his entire career after they drafted him in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft.

Dean started 15 games for the Bucs last season and made 57 tackles, picked off two passes, and broke up eight passes. In his four years with them he has recorded 7 interceptions, 41 pass breakups, and 156 tackles in 57 appearances with 38 starts.

He was a key member of their secondary in 2019 and helped them win Super Bowl LV. The new contract will allow him to continue to start alongside former Auburn cornerback [autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag] in Tampa.

Dean started his college career at Ohio State before transferring to Auburn after suffering a torn meniscus. He spent 2015-18 on Plains before heading to the NFL.

He is the third for Tiger to agree to a contract today, Johnathan Jones has re-signed with the New England Patriots and Jarret Stidham is set to join the  Denver Broncos.

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Jonathan Jones agrees to new two-year deal with Patriots

Jones is staying loyal to New England by signing a new contract.

Free agency has officially begun in the NFL, and one former Tiger is among those that have signed a new deal.

[autotag]Johnathon Jones[/autotag], who played cornerback for Auburn from 2012-15, is signing a new deal with the New England Patriots according to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network. The deal is for two years, $20 million with $13 million guaranteed.

Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire says that the Patriots received good news by re-signing Jones.

It’s a much-needed signing for the Patriots in an effort to keep their defensive backfield intact, following the departure of legendary safety Devin McCourty.

Jones showed the versatility to play both inside and outside last season. The hope is that he can continue to lead by example in a year where Jack Jones and Marcus Jones are expected to take big leaps on defense. New England still has Jalen Mills on the roster as well.

Jones has played his entire seven-year NFL career with the Patriots, where he has 330 tackles and 11 interceptions in 101 total games. He joins former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Jarrett Stidham[/autotag] in signing free-agent deals on Monday. Stidham signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Denver Broncos after spending last season with the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Jarrett Stidham signs new deal with Denver Broncos

The Broncos moved fast to sign Stidham on the first day of free agency.

After spending the final two games of the 2022 NFL season as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, former Auburn QB [autotag]Jarrett Stidham[/autotag] has found a new home.

Stidham will not have to move far from Las Vegas, as he signed a deal with AFC West rival Denver on Monday. The deal is expected to be two years and worth $10 million according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Stidham was drafted 133rd overall by the New England Patriots in the 2019 NFL draft but saw the most action of his professional career during his lone season with the Raiders in 2022. In the final two games of the season, Stidham passed for 584 yards and two touchdowns.

Stidham passed for over 2,500 yards in two seasons as starting quarterback at Auburn from 2017-18, he even eclipsed the 3,000-yark mark in 2017 by passing for 3,158 yards and 18 touchdowns.

According to Broncos Wire, Stidham will officially join the Broncos’ 90-man roster on Wednesday.

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Photo Gallery: A look at Prince Tega Wanogho’s time with the Kansas City Chiefs

Wanogho became the 20th former Tiger to win a Super Bowl ring when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

Auburn was well represented in Super Bowl LVII, as three players graced the rosters of the Philadelphia Eagles and the victorious Kansas City Chiefs.

When the dust settled, offensive tackle [autotag]Prince Tega Wanogho[/autotag] rose victorious with the Chiefs, becoming the 20th former Tiger to earn a Super Bowl ring.

Wanogho’s win with the Chiefs marks the third straight season that a former Auburn player has been on a championship roster. [autotag]Blake Countess[/autotag] was a member of the Los Angeles Rams roster that won Super Bowl LVI while [autotag]Jamel Dean[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlton Davis[/autotag] won Super Bowl LV with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To mark the occasion, let’s take a look at Wanogho’s career as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs:

Former Auburn OL wins Super Bowl with Kansas City Chiefs

The former Auburn offensive lineman played six games for the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs this season.

The Kansas City Chiefs won their third Super Bowl title in franchise history,  and their second title in four seasons by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35 in Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona.

Among those on the Chief’s roster is former Auburn offensive lineman [autotag]Prince Tega Wanogho[/autotag].

Wanogho, who played for the Tigers from 2015-2019, was drafted by Philadelphia Eagles as the 210th overall pick in the 2020 draft before signing with Kansas City prior to the 2021 season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Wanogho played in six games this season for the Chiefs, splitting time between left and right tackle. He took a total of 60 snaps, 45 of those being at right tackle and 13 at left tackle. He graded at 68.4 during the season.

Wanogho becomes the 23rd former Tiger to be a part of a Super Bowl-winning roster and the first since [autotag]Blake Countess[/autotag] in 2022 as a member of the Los Angeles Rams‘ roster in Super Bowl LVI.

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Trio of former Auburn teammates heading to Super Bowl LVII

Auburn’s Super Bowl representatives were a part of the Tigers’ rosters during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Auburn Football was well represented during the 2022-23 NFL season with 26 former players gracing professional rosters.

As the season draws closer to an end, three former Tigers remain as the field is set for Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, 31-7 to advance to the Super Bowl, which means that former Tigers [autotag]Jack Driscoll[/autotag] and [autotag]Arryn Siposs[/autotag] will get the chance to compete for the league’s ultimate prize.

On the other side, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated Cincinnati Bengals on a late field goal, 23-20 to win the AFC Championship, meaning that former Auburn lineman [autotag]Prince Tega Wanogho[/autotag] is also heading to the Super Bowl.

It will be a reunion between those three Tigers, as all three players were a part of Auburn rosters during the 2018 and 2019 seasons before beginning their professional careers in 2020. Driscoll, who transferred to Auburn from UMass, was taken No. 145 overall by the Eagles while Siposs signed an undrafted rookie contract with the Detroit Lions.

Wanogho was the longest-tenured Tiger out of the bunch, playing from 2015-19. In 2020, he was ironically taken No. 210 overall by the Eagles, the team that he will be facing in the Super Bowl.

Driscoll saw action at both left and right tackle for the Eagles this season. In ten games, Driscoll has participated in 357 snaps according to Pro Football Focus with 207 being at right tackle.

Siposs has punted the football 44 times for Philadelphia this season for an average of 45.7 yards. His longest punt of the season totaled 57 yards, and he has placed an impressive 19 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

Wanogho has played in six games this season for Kansas City, playing 45 snaps at right tackle, and 15 at left tackle.

The Eagles will compete for their second Super Bowl crown in franchise history on Sunday, Feb. 12, while the Chiefs look to earn their third.

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Photo Gallery: Looking back at Jarrett Stidham’s first NFL start

Here are the best photos from Jarrett Stidham’s first NFL start for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Following the announcement that Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr had been benched for the final two games of the 2022 NFL season, former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Jarrett Stidham[/autotag] was the next man up on New Year’s Day against the San Francisco 49ers.

Although the Raiders fell to the 49ers, 37-34 in overtime, Stidham performed well in his first professional start by completing 23-of-34 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Pro Bowl receiver Davante Adams. Stidham was also quick on his feet, adding 34 yards of rushing to his total.

Here is a look back at Stidham’s first NFL start on Jan. 1, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.