Broncos sign polarizing former Pro-Bowl corner

Cornerback depth, cornerback depth, cornerback depth.

Ask any Broncos fan what their biggest concern is with the team after three preseason games, and they will likely tell you “cornerback depth.”

The team took steps towards repairing that hole in their roster today.

The Broncos signed Adam “Pacman” Jones to a one-year deal this afternoon after working out the veteran corner this morning, the team announced.

Jones, now 35, was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2015 and a first-team All-Pro as a returner in 2014. He spent the last eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He became a free agent in March of this year when the Bengals opted to decline his option for the 2018 season. Broncos head coach Vance Joseph was Jones’ defensive backs coach in Cincinnati from 2014 to 2015, arguably his two best years as a pro.

It’s no secret that “Pacman” comes with some baggage, encountering legal troubles in every chapter of his career. The talented corner and former return specialist was suspended for the entirety of the 2007 NFL season, at one point, he was suspended for 22 out of a possible 28 games for a long, long laundry list of issues with the law.

Jones appeared to get back on track in Cincinnati, avoiding legal trouble for most his time there, but was arrested last year for obstructing official business, disorderly conduct, assault, and a felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance. He eventually accepted a plea agreement, pleading guilty to one count of obstructing a police officer. He spent two days in jail and was suspended one game by the NFL.

In July of this year, he was involved in an altercation at the Atlanta airport that resulted in an airport employee being arrested for assaulting him. No charges were brought against Jones in the incident.

With roster spots all but locked up for four Broncos’ corners already (Chris Harris Jr., Bradley Roby, Tramaine Brock and third-round pick Issac Yiadom), the signing of Jones could a bad sign for 2017 third-round pick Brendan Langley, who has struggled to develop during his time in Denver.

In a corresponding move, the Broncos released undrafted free agent linebacker Bo Bower.