Jonathan Jones, a well-known NFL reporter, is reportedly in advanced discussions to depart CBS Sports and join The Athletic, according to sources cited by Front Office Sports. Jones originally joined CBS in 2019 after working at Sports Illustrated and the Charlotte Observer. While he had been a prominent figure on CBS’s NFL Today studio show, he was not featured on that program last season but continued to contribute written and streaming content for CBS.

If Jones completes the move to The Athletic, his role will shift away from being the direct successor to former insider Dianna Russini, who resigned earlier this year amid controversy over photos involving a Patriots coach. Instead, Jones’s work at The Athletic would focus on feature reporting and behind-the-scenes NFL coverage, incorporating both video and written formats. This approach suggests a new strategic direction for his journalistic presence at the outlet.

Dianna Russini’s departure from The Athletic in April followed media scrutiny and an ongoing internal investigation by The New York Times, which owns The Athletic. The investigation reportedly remains active, with no resolution announced to date. Russini and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel emphasized the platonic nature of their relationship despite the public attention, but the situation led to significant professional repercussions.

Neither CBS Sports nor The New York Times provided comments on Jones’s potential move, and Jones himself was unavailable for comment. The deal has not been finalized but, if completed, would mark a notable shift for Jones as he transitions from a major broadcast network to a primarily digital sports media company, reflecting broader trends in sports journalism careers.