Several NFL reports have confirmed that opposing teams are interested in trading for Bucs running back Ronald Jones before Tuesday’s 4pm deadline. Bucs head coach Bruce Arians has maintained that the seldom-used back isn’t available for trade – up until Monday’s media session, anyway. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Arians made it clear Jones was still in the team’s 2021 plans. However, he left the door cracked for an offer to blow GM Jason Licht away.

“It would have to be something really, really special, because I love the way he’s running,” Arians said. “It’s just one nick on Leonard [Fournette] and then ‘RoJo’ is the guy again. To me, that’s still a great one-two punch. It would have to be something extraordinary.”

Hmmm. Jones is the forgotten man in Tampa Bay, largely due to his own transgressions. After a mistaken-laden start to the season, Jones has fallen light years behind Leonard Fournette. The former USC star has just 102 snaps this season to Fournette’s 332. Even Giovani Bernard has more snaps on the season with 109.

Bucs RB Giovani Bernard – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

To Jones’ credit, he has run well when given opportunities. On the season, Jones has rushed 44 times for 194 yards and one touchdown. But his passing games woes remain as present as they have ever been. Jones has just four catches for 39 yards on six targets this season. He’s caught the ball better, but he’s often out of place in the passing game. On Sunday, he got too far outside on a screen and created impossible blocks for his offensive linemen. That’s a trend with Jones, who has struggled to master timing and routes as a receiver. Jones also had a false start in Week 8 and has fumbled twice this year.

Because of the former second round pick’s struggles in pass protection and as a receiver, it’s hard to bet on him as a 3-down option. That will impact Jones’ trade value significantly as the deadline approaches.

I have enough confidence in Fournette and Bernard to feel confident the Bucs would be fine if they moved on from Jones. Running back is the most replaceable position on the field, and second-year back Ke’Shawn Vaughn looked solid in limited action in Week 7. The question is, can the Bucs actually get something of value for Jones on Tuesday?

Despite his woes on passing downs, Jones was still nearly a 1,000-yard rusher last year. There are a few offenses around the NFL that don’t value backs much in passing situations, so Jones could be a great fit elsewhere. A good trade template to look at is Sony Michel, who was traded from the Patriots to the Rams this offseason.The Patriots acquired a 2022 sixth round pick and a 2023 fourth round pick for the former first round pick.

Michel has the career edge in production, but Jones has been better more recently, averaging 5.1 yards per carry and scoring seven times during his 978-yard 2020 campaign. Michel was struggling before a trade to the Rams, rushing for 449 yards over nine games in New England that year. The two are close enough in production and limitations for similar compensation to be considered.

Rams RB Sony Michel & Bucs LB Devin White – Photo by: USA Today

Jones, like Michel, is also in a contract year. If he continues to receive no opportunities to produce, Jones will hit the market at his lowest possible value. Will his representation push hard for a trade, knowing what is at stake? Running backs have a short shelf life, although Jones is younger than most at 24. He could still have a productive career ahead of him, but he might be looking at one-year deals this offseason. That is, unless he gets a real chance to produce before the end of the season.

If the Bucs can get a fourth round pick for Jones, even in 2023, I’d pull the trigger quickly. Remember, they are going to lose Jones for (at best) a late comp pick this offseason. Regardless of what happens to Fournette or Bernard, Jones is not going to be the difference between Super Bowl or bust. It just isn’t going to happen. And remember, fourth round picks are extremely valuable. The Bucs traded a fourth rounder to acquire Rob Gronkowski in 2020. They also used a fourth round pick to move up and acquire Tristan Wirfs. It isn’t always the player you get with that pick, it’s often how you can use the asset.

But given Jones’ recent demotion, his value has never been lower. I don’t know that the Bucs would even get Michel-level compensation for Jones, which complicates things. I’d still consider moving him since they will lose him this offseason anyway, but the interest could be minimal right now. Regardless, I’ll be shocked if the Bucs trade him. They are obsessed with depth in this Super Bowl window, and understandably so. With all the injuries Tampa Bay has dealt with early in the season, they value having guys that can step in.

So rest assured, Bucs fans. I don’t think Ronald Jones is going anywhere, whether we like it or not.