Jonathan Jones arrived in New England from Auburn as an undrafted rookie in 2016. He made the Patriots’ regular-season roster because of his special-teams ability and has seen his role grow from there in the intervening seven seasons.

After 101 regular-season and eight playoff games, including two Super Bowl victories, Jones would have had an opportunity to leave New England on Wednesday when he was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. But he won’t get there.

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Jones will remain with the Patriots after agreeing to a two-year contract extension, NFL Network and ESPN reported on Monday. The Boston Globe reported the deal could be worth up to $20 million and included $13 million in guaranteed money.

As a rookie, Jones got on the field for 64 defensive snaps and 307 special-teams plays. In each of the next four seasons – until a shoulder injury limited him to six games in 2021 – Jones’ defensive snaps increased and his special-teams appearances decreased.

Jones developed into New England’s regular slot corner, but has shown versatility beyond that role, too.

For the 2018 postseason, he shadowed Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship Game, then switched to safety for a special defensive scheme that led to a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

After the departure of Pro Bowler J.C. Jackson in free agency last offseason, Jones stepped into the vacated outside corner spot in the 2022 season. He played a career-high 894 defensive snaps while posting career bests with four interceptions, 11 passes defended and three forced fumbles and making 69 tackles.

Jones also scored the first touchdown of his NFL career in 2022, when he picked off Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger and returned the interception 17 yards for a touchdown in the Patriots’ 26-3 victory on Nov. 6.

In 101 NFL regular-season games, Jones has 330 tackles, 11 interceptions, 44 passes defended, eight forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.