Despite his age, Jones has just 1,349 career carries - mostly because he shared the workload early in his career. So, wear and tear isn't a concern to the Jets.
"I'll be 29 years old this year, but I haven't had a lot of carries for a 29-year-old back and I'm a workout warrior," he said. "I love working out, I love taking care of my body and I'm very in tune with my body and how I feel. The way I feel right now, I could play for a long, long time."
For the Jets to be able to get Jones and a draft pick for just their second-round pick appears to be a coup by Tannenbaum and New York. That Chicago was willing to part with a player who was such a major part of its offense the past few seasons for seemingly so little is somewhat puzzling.
Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo said the Bears made the deal to give Cedric Benson, who split time with Jones last year, a chance to be the full-time starter.
"We like Cedric Benson and felt it's his turn now.," Angelo said. "Thomas talked to me on several occasions prior to this season. I visited with him recently about his situation and in the end it was the right thing to do."
Jones accepted that.
"The NFL, sometimes it doesn't go the way you think it's going to go," Jones said. "You just have to adjust. That situation is something that you might want to address with the Bears."
