Former Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones went unclaimed by the other 31 NFL teams and is now a free agent, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Packers waived Jones, a second-round pick in 2017, with a non-football illness designation on Sunday.
If the Packers were attempting to trade Jones before releasing him, his ability to clear waivers reflects why GM Brian Gutekunst was unable to find a trade partner.
Jones entered the NFL as a size-speed prospect but failed to find a position for defensive coordinators Dom Capers and Mike Pettine. He struggled to earn trust at safety and resisted opportunities to play linebacker, and he publicly complained about playing time last season.
After the Packers added veteran Adrian Amos and rookie Darnell Savage, Jones attempted to force a trade out of Green Bay by skipping voluntary OTAs.
It’s possible Jones’ medical condition, which held him out of the last two weeks of training camp, contributed to the third-year safety going unclaimed on waivers.
Jones, who turns 25 next month, is now free to sign with any team.
The Packers will incur $304,712 in dead money on next year’s salary cap, the result of having to pay Jones’ pro-rated signing bonus.
