New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick must have known the tough questions were coming regarding the release of cornerback Jack Jones. So he stood there on Tuesday, unflinchingly, with a candid response when the subject came up.
“I just felt like it was time to move on,” said Belichick.
The Patriots coach added that Jones would not be returning to the team’s practice squad if he clears waivers. There will be no stashing of the former fourth-round draft pick in hopes of him returning to the main roster one day. Jones’ time in New England is done for good.
Belichick threw a little sugar on the break-up by reminding everyone the 25-year-old defensive back is a talented player.
Belichick later called Jones "a talented player" but reiterated that it was "time to move on." Said Jones won't be back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. https://t.co/Fcwdd191O4
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) November 14, 2023
That talent couldn’t trump the reported behavioral issues that led Belichick to this decision.
Jones’ run in New England hasn’t even lasted a full two years, and he’s already had multiple incidents. He was suspended after reportedly talking back to Belichick late last season. There was the arrest in June on gun-related charges, and he was late for a team meeting, benched for it and later, acted distant towards the team during the Week 10 trip to Germany
It was a slew of incidents that led to the Patriots parting ways with Jones. Given all of the bad personnel decisions the team has made in recent years, this was probably one of the best ones.
