According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, free agent running back Ronald Jones is headed to the Kansas City Chiefs. The deal is for 1-year with a payout of up to $5 million. Jones was drafted in the second round by Tampa Bay in 2018 out of USC. The 24-year old fell off drastically in 2021, his fourth season with the Bucs.

After a disappointing rookie season where he barely saw the field, Jones produced two very solid seasons in 2019 and 2020. Over that stretch the running back carried the ball 362 times for 1,702 yards (4.7 ypc) and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 59 passes for 474 yards and a touchdown during that stretch. In 2020, Jones nearly reached 1,000 rushing yards. But a late season bout with COVID and a fractured finger kept him from the milestone.

Bucs RB Ronald Jones II – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Jones entered this past season as the lead running back for the Bucs, but lost the role early in the year. Issues with ball security, drops and mental errors in pass protection led to significantly less playing time. In fact, Jones finished the season with a pedestrian 101 carries for 428 yards and four touchdowns. As a receiver, he managed just 10 receptions for 64 yards. For his career Jones has registered 488 carries for 2,174 yards and 18 TD’s along with 76 receptions for 571 yards and a touchdown.

Jones’ departure is of no surprise after he fell out of favor last season. Throughout his time in Tampa Bay, consistency eluded him despite his talent. Now he’ll slot into a backup role in Kansas City behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire, where they’ll hope he can blossom in his third offensive system.

Although Jones’ absence may prove to be addition by subtraction, it leaves the Bucs thin at running back. Leonard Fournette and Ke’Shawn Vaughn are the Bucs only running backs from last season set to return. As a result, Tampa Bay could be searching for a running back in free agency and in the draft. Stay tuned.