NFL insider Jonathan Jones has officially left CBS Sports and will join The Athletic as a senior writer, the outlet announced on Thursday. The move ends a nearly seven-year run at CBS, where Jones served as the network’s lead NFL insider since 2022 and contributed across television, streaming, and digital platforms.
However, despite The Athletic’s vacancy for the senior NFL insider position following Dianna Russini’s resignation in April, Jones will not fill it.
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The Athletic’s NFL operation has been in a state of flux since Russini resigned on April 14, one week after Page Six published photographs of her and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel at an adults-only resort in Sedona, Arizona.
The Athletic soon opened an internal investigation into Russini’s conduct and coverage, but she resigned before that review concluded, and nearly three months later, the investigation remains ongoing.
Hiring Jones doesn’t resolve The Athletic’s insider vacancy, but it does bring in a respected voice with deep league connections.
Jones built his reputation on substantive reporting that went beyond the transactional scoops that dominate the insider space. Before CBS, he spent three years as a national NFL writer at Sports Illustrated and covered the Carolina Panthers as a beat writer for the Charlotte Observer from 2012 to 2016.
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After joining The Athletic, he said, “I have admired The Athletic from afar for years and I am very fortunate to have a new home there starting soon!”
Following Jones’ arrival at the organization, Alison Cotsonika, who is The Athletic’s NFL Senior Managing Editor, wrote: “I’m excited to announce that Jonathan Jones is joining our NFL desk as a senior writer at the beginning of August.”
“As a senior writer at The Athletic, Jonathan will focus on bringing behind-the-scenes stories to the forefront, breaking news and capturing game moments with deeply reported articles and video analysis,” she added. “I’ve long admired Jonathan and am delighted he’s bringing his talents to The Athletic, joining us on August 3. I encourage everyone to give him a big welcome as we gear up for an action-packed NFL season ahead.”
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While bidding adieu from CBS, Jones wrote, “After nearly 7 years, I will be moving on from CBS Sports. I’m so thankful for everyone there who poured into me. HQ is the best at what they do, and there are so many talented people there. I will forever be honored to be part of 2 great pregame shows in TOPS and The NFL Today.”
He continued, “I appreciate the opportunity to learn along the way, and I’m indebted to all those at CBS who believed in me and helped make me better.”
After nearly 7 years, I will be moving on from CBS Sports. I’m so thankful for everyone there who poured into me. HQ is the best at what they do, and there are so many talented people there. I will forever be honored to be part of 2 great pregame shows in TOPS and The NFL Today.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) July 23, 2026
Given the timing, The Athletic’s unfilled insider role could soon attract another big name, Tom Pelissero.
ESPN laid off Pelissero earlier this week as part of their layoffs following Disney’s acquisition of NFL Network. He had spent nine years at NFL Network and emerged as one of the league’s top insiders alongside Ian Rapoport.
Given his experience in live television, his established network of sources across the league, and his ability to deliver both video and written content, Pelissero will be an ideal fit for the senior NFL insider role left vacant by Russini’s exit.
