Cardale Jones is taking his talents to the XFL.
The DC Defenders announced Tuesday that the former Ohio State quarterback will be joining them for their inaugural season in 2020.
History Maker
— DC Defenders (@XFLDefenders) October 15, 2019
National Champion
QB1
WELCOME TO DC DEFENDERS, @Cardale7_ !!!#DefendTheDMV pic.twitter.com/edzqoxSlra
Jones is the assigned quarterback for the Defenders, which means he will get the first opportunity to be their starter. According to Yahoo Sports' Shalise Manza Young, those players will be paid more than the NFL rookie minimum, which is currently $495,000.
The former Ohio State quarterback, most famous for leading the Buckeyes to the final three wins of their 2014 national championship season, had been out of the NFL since he was released from the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad in September. A fourth-round pick by the Buffalo Bills in the 2016 NFL draft, Jones previously spent two years with the Los Angeles Chargers but never appeared in a regular-season game for them.
Now, though, Jones will get the opportunity to become a starting quarterback again and become one of the most prominent faces of professional football's newest upstart league, whose first season will begin in February.
DCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!! @XFLDefenders
— Cardale Jones (@Cardale7_) October 15, 2019
As pointed out by Dwayne Haskins, who now plays for the Washington Redskins, Jones' appointment to the Defenders also means there will now be two former Ohio State quarterbacks in D.C.
Towels and Linen Ready https://t.co/mcPAUXHEyU
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) October 15, 2019
Jones will be joined on the Defenders by at least three of his former Ohio State teammates. The Defenders selected Chase Farris in the ninth round of the offensive line portion of the XFL draft, Tracy Sprinkle with their fifth-round pick in the defensive line portion of the draft and Doran Grant with their fourth-round pick in the defensive backs segment of the draft.
Former Ohio State linebacker Dante Booker was selected in the open portion of the draft by the Seattle Dragons.
Four other former Ohio State players were in the pool for the inaugural XFL draft but were not selected: Running back Bri'onte Dunn, defensive tackle Robert Rose and safeties Christian Bryant and Damon Webb.
