Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach/GM Chris Jones is leaving the team to take a job in the NFL as a senior defensive specialist with the Cleveland Browns.

Can confirm that @sskroughriders head coach and GM Chris Jones is leaving the CFL to take a job with the Cleveland Browns. #CFL — David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 15, 2019

Chris Jones title with the @Browns will be Senior Defensive Specialist. #CFL — David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 15, 2019

Jones signed a one-year extension to stay with the Roughriders last week. The team made the news of his resignation official on Tuesday.

“We are proud of what Chris came in and accomplished through his three seasons as general manager and head coach,” Roughriders president Craig Reynolds said in a statement. “His work obviously didn’t go unnoticed and we congratulate him on his opportunity in the National Football League and thank him for his contribution to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.”

Jones' interview with the Browns took place on Tuesday morning, new head coach Freddie Kitchens was a QB at Alabama while Jones was a grad assistant.

Chris Jones is in Cleveland and his interview was this morning. He has a connection to @Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens from when Kitchens was QB at Alabama and Jones was a grad assistant. #CFL — David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 15, 2019

According to TSN Football Insider Dave Naylor, due to the CFL's new coaches cap, the Roughriders will have to hire a head coach who is also a defensive coordinator or promote from their existing staf and hire a DC.

The CFL new coach’s cap means @sskroughriders will have to hire a head coach who is also a defensive co-ordination, or promote a head coach from existing staff and hire a defensive co-ordinator. #CFL Jones did two jobs but took up one spot. — David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 15, 2019

The Roughriders improved each season with Jones at the helm, posting 5-13, 10-8 and 12-6 records in the three seasons he was in charge.

Last season, he led the team to second in the West and the 52-year-old was named CFL Coach of the Year.

Prior to joining the Roughriders, Jones spent two seasons as head coach of the Edmonton Eskimos and finished as a Coach of the Year finalist after both seasons.