While the XFL only last for a few months, it provided opportunities for running back Matt Jones and countless other players to prove they deserve a shot in the NFL. With the 2020 NFL season fast approaching, Jones could soon join some of his XFL peers at the highest level.
Jones, a third-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, starred at the University of Florida before bouncing around the NFL with the Washington Football Team, Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles.
While he only enjoyed a five-game run in the XFL before the league folded, the NFL might now be back on Jones’ radar.
NFL teams talking to XFL running back Matt Jones
Jones joined the St. Louis Battlehawks before the 2020 season and quickly found a home in their backfield. The 6-foot-2, 231-pound running back often proved to be far too much for his XFL opponents.
In five games with the Battlehawks, Jones racked up the second-most rushing yards (314) in the league. He found the end zone twice, once out of the backfield, while averaging 3.9 yards per carry.
With training camp nearly underway and NFL players choosing to opt-out of the upcoming season, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that it could lead to an opportunity for Jones.
The 27-year-old has talked with multiple teams and could be an option with more players expected to sit out this year. For clubs in need of a powerful running back who can fight for extra yards, Jones could be the ideal solution for any depth chart especially thin at running back.