Full Breakdown
Packers Sign Cornerback Marlon Jones, Undrafted Rookie Who Overcame Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
5/19/2026, 1:26:48 PM
Signing Overview
The Green Bay Packers signed 24-year-old cornerback Marlon Jones to a standard three-year, undrafted rookie contract on Monday. The move fills the team’s 91-man offseason roster ahead of organized team activities. The roster spot opened after tight end Luke Lachey failed his physical, prompting the Packers to add a defensive back instead.
College Career and Performance
Jones played four seasons (2019-2023) at Eastern Washington, earning first-team All-Big Sky honors in 2023. That year he recorded 35 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, seven passes defended and four pass breakups. He allowed 19 receptions on 44 targets and posted a career-low opposing passer rating of 49.2, including back-to-back pick-sixes against Southeastern Louisiana and UC Davis. After transferring to Vanderbilt for the 2024 season, he appeared in nine games (one start) and logged nine tackles before his cancer diagnosis halted his play.
Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery
In February 2024 Jones and his family discovered a swollen lymph node that was later diagnosed as stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He underwent months of chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free in October 2024, returning to the field for Vanderbilt’s 2025 season.
Packers’ Cornerback Depth and Roster Implications
Green Bay’s secondary includes Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden, Shemar Bartholomew and Jaylin Simpson, with recent additions Benjamin St-Juste, MJ Devonshire, Brandon Cisse and Domani Jackson. The signing adds a battle-tested option to a depth chart the team described as underwhelming last season, but Jones will face stiff competition to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
Official Statements & Responses
The Packers’ front office confirmed the signing as part of a plan to improve a secondary that struggled in the previous campaign. Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea, who remained in contact with Jones during treatment, praised the player’s perseverance and highlighted the program’s supportive environment. Curran Sports & Entertainment, Jones’s agency, issued a brief statement noting his readiness for the NFL.
Criticism & Opposition
No external criticism appears in the source material, but analysts note that making the final roster will be challenging given the existing depth at cornerback. Jones must demonstrate strong preseason performance to avoid relegation to the practice squad.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Of course, it crushed me. I was sad. I was scared,” — Marlon Jones, *The New York Times*
- “That’s a credit to my faith, I just believed and trusted in God’s plan.” — Marlon Jones, *The Athletic*
- “I was sad. I was scared. But at no point did I think I was going to lose my life. That’s a credit to my faith, I just believed and trusted in God’s plan. I knew He didn’t cause me to have this, but He was going to use it for good. The only thing I was really worried about was football.” — Marlon Jones, *The Athletic*
- “This program will have forever changed my life,” — Marlon Jones, *The Athletic*
- “Coach Lea has been big on breaking down impurities that we have amongst ourselves, breaking down bad habits, and really forming together as one.” — Marlon Jones, *The Athletic*
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Jones’s Vanderbilt statistics: three articles list nine games played with nine tackles, while another notes seven appearances (one start plus six additional games) and no interceptions. The timeline of his return also varies, with one source citing a 2025 season and another referencing the 2024 season after his clearance.
What’s Next
Jones will report to Packers’ organized team activities on Tuesday and will compete for a roster spot during training camp and preseason games. His performance will determine whether he joins the active roster, the practice squad, or is released before the regular season.
