New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick took a minimalist approach with his answers to questions posed during the AFC coaches breakfast at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix on Sunday.

But on two inquiries, Belichick gave more expansive replies – when asked about the Pro Football Hall of Fame recognizing former offensive-line coach Dante Scarnecchia with an Award of Excellence and New England re-signing cornerback Jonathan Jones.

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The Patriots kept Jones from entering free agency earlier this month with a two-year, $19 million contract extension that included a $7.5 million signing bonus and $13 million in guaranteed money.

The 2023 season will be Jones’ eighth with New England since he made the team as an undrafted rookie from Auburn in 2016.

Belichick said retaining Jones became even more important when safety Devin McCourty retired this offseason after 13 years in the Patriots’ secondary.

“That was a big one, especially with Devin,” Belichick said about re-signing Jones. “He 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. He epitomizes what we want in a Patriot player. Great to have him.”

RELATED: BILL BELICHICK FIELDS QUESTIONS ABOUT QUARTERBACK MAC JONES

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.