NFL News: Tom Brady’s Super Bowl Jerseys Returned, Colts Cut DT Arthur Jones, Bears Sign QB Mark Sanchez To One-Year Deal

Several major NFL stories broke out on Thursday and Friday, most notably that Tom Brady’s Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI jerseys have both been recovered and returned to Patriot Way.

Colts Release Arthur Jones, Mark Sanchez Signs with Bears, Brady SB Jerseys Recovered

The jerseys were stolen by Mexican journalist Mauricio Ortega, the former director of one of Mexico’s largest newspapers, La Prensa, following the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl LI victory over the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5.

Ortega offered his resignation from La Prensa last week.

“I am happy my jersey from SB 49 and SB 51 have been recovered, and I want to thank all of the law enforcement agencies involved,” Brady said in a statement released via his agent, Don Yee. “I know they worked hard on this case — and it is very much appreciated. Hopefully when I get the jerseys back I can make something very positive come from this experience.”

Earlier this week, FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer released the following footage of the jerseys being stolen on FS1’s ‘The Herd’ with Colin Cowherd. 

The FBI’s Boston Bureau included the following statement with their tweet:

“Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston is pleased to return the jerseys worn by New England Patriots MVP Tom Brady during Super Bowl 49 and Super Bowl 51 to the New England Patriots and National Football League. We know how much this means to the Patriots and football fans everywhere, and we are honored to be able to bring these jerseys back to Foxboro.”

Patriots owner Robert Kraft also released a statement:

“We want to thank the FBI, the Mexican authorities and the many different local agencies that were involved in the investigation and ultimate recovery of Tom Brady’s Super Bowl LI jersey,” Kraft’s statement began. “Working along with the Patriots and NFL security, those agencies collectively coordinated an investigation that also led to the recovery of Tom’s missing Super Bowl XLIX jersey. It was great to have both jerseys returned to Gillette Stadium today. I don’t know that any agency could have accomplished this independently, but collectively multiple agencies — both in the U.S. and in Mexico — worked together to achieve the goal of retrieving the stolen property.

“It is another example of the importance of teamwork and what can be accomplished when everyone works together. We appreciate the effort of everyone involved and look forward to returning these jerseys to Tom when he gets back to New England.”

In other NFL news, the Colts have released defensive tackle Arthur Jones after three disappointing seasons in Indianapolis, the team announced Friday morning.

Jones was scheduled for a $7.35 million cap hit in 2017. The move saves Indy $5.15 million in space, per OverTheCap.com.

The 30-year-old signed a five-year deal worth $33 million in 2014 after four seasons in Baltimore.

Jones played in only 17 games over his three years in Indy due to injury and a four-game PED suspension. He also missed all of 2015 with an ankle injury. Jones recorded 53 tackles and 1.5 sacks during his time in Indy.

New Colts general manager Chris Ballard has also cut , D’Qwell Jackson, Patrick Robinson and traded Dwayne Allen.

The Chicago Bears also made a major announcement Friday, saying they have signed QB Mark Sanchez to a one-year contract.

The 30-year-old former New York Jets star threw two interceptions out of just 18 attempts with the Dallas Cowboys last season, playing in only three games as Dak Prescott’s backup. The eighth-year veteran (2009 fifth-round pick by the Jets) has started 72 career games, posting a 56.7 completion rate, 86:86 TD-to-INT ratio and 73.9 passer rating.

Sanchez joins Bears quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Connor Shaw. 

Glennon is set to earn $16 million this season, though it remains to be seen if coach John Fox will choose him as the starting passer.

HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 05: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-28 in overtime during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)