An NFL veteran wide receiver on Wednesday went public with his desire to play this season for the 49ers.
That wide receiver is not named Anquan Boldin, who remains unsigned after leading the 49ers in receiving each of the past three seasons.
San Jose native James Jones, who has played eight of his nine NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers, wants to remain in the Bay Area, he said on SiriusXM NFL Radio with hosts Bruce Murray and Kirk Morrison. Jones played collegiately at San Jose State.
“I’m right here in San Francisco, in the Niners’ backyard,” Jones said. “You know what I mean? I’d love to stay here at home and play for the Niners – don’t have to move my family or any of that stuff. My kids get to stay in school. But, at the same time, I’m just ready to play. I’ll play wherever. I’m just ready to get it on.”
Jones, 32, led the Green Bay Packers last season with 890 receiving yards. He had 50 receptions with an impressive 17.8-yard average and led the team’s wideouts with eight touchdowns.
It was a bounce-back season for Jones, who averaged a career-low 9.1 yards per catch for the Raiders in 2014. Jones spent his first seven seasons with the Packers before recording a career-high 73 receptions for just 666 yards and six touchdowns for the Raiders. He re-signed with the Packers last year.
Jones, a nine-year NFL veteran, said he is not too picky about where he wants to play next season. The 49ers finished last season with a 5-11 record, and new coach Chip Kelly inherits a team that will likely be a consensus pick to finish last in the NFC West.
“I got me a Super Bowl ring,” Jones said. “I’d love to get another one. But my ultimate goal is to play 12 years. And I just want to get out there and play football. It doesn’t matter who it’s for. I just want to play.
“If it is a chance where I can get to a team that they’re a contender or we have a chance to win the Super Bowl, that’s awesome, too. Everybody thinks they’re going win the Super Bowl right now. I’m just trying to get somewhere to play.”
Jones said he has heard from some teams that have told him they like him, but he has yet to receive a contract offer.
The 49ers have not offered Boldin, 35, a contract, either. The 49ers have 12 receivers on their roster, including nine players with two or fewer seasons of NFL experience. The 49ers obviously want to fully evaluate their group of young wide receivers before considering adding a veteran, such as Boldin or Jones.
“I’m extremely surprised that I’m still here waiting, especially off the season I had in Green Bay,” Jones said. “(I) had a really productive season. I am surprised, but this is a crazy business, so you never really know what happens. I’m in shape and I’ve been training hard. I’m ready to play. I’m just waiting on the next opportunity.”
