Mac Jones looks even worse after string of dirty plays (Video)
By Mark Powell
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has a history of questionable behavior, to say the least.
Mac Jones is having a forgettable season in New England. Jones was benched in favor of Bailey Zappe at times this year, but has since come back and taken the starting job.
The former first rounder starts for Bill Belichick’s squad only because someone better isn’t available. New England’s quarterback crop is one of the worst groups in football — if not the worst.
But perhaps Jones most egregious accomplishment is that he’s considered by many around the NFL to be a dirty player. Considering he plays quarterback, that’s…not great.
Jones has some Grayson Allen in him.
Mac Jones under fire for reputation as dirty player
Against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, cornerback Eli Apple accused Jones of yet another dirty play, in which the Patriots quarterback allegedly dove at his legs.
“He tripped me,” Apple told NESN.com. “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before, I’ve seen it. Yeah, well, they’re going home now.”
The defensive touchdown was for naught as the officials called Jones’ pass an incompletion, rather than an interception which was returned back the other way.
In 2021, Panthers star defensive end Brian Burns called out Jones for grabbing his leg, as the Carolina Pro Bowler was recovery from an ankle injury at the time.
"“Watching the replay and watching all the angles and everything, I think it’s some bull,” Burns said. “I think it’s some bull for him to take his legs — because my main thing is he took his legs and he swept the one leg I had up, you know what I mean? I think it’s some bull. And his explanation for it — because he thought I had the ball — I don’t think you could think a person has the ball. Soon as I sacked you, you grabbed my arm. And then everybody ran past us.”"
Jones’ activity is more of a pattern at this point, and it should concern the Patriots and rest of the league.