NFL finally punishes Patriots QB Mac Jones for pattern of dirty play

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was fined for multiple unnecessary roughness violations, including his low hit on Bengals CB Eli Apple.

Mac Jones didn’t escape punishment for his actions during the Patriots loss to the Bengals on Christmas Eve.

The NFL levied a fine against the quarterback, docking him $23,976 for two separate infractions, per Tom Pelissero. The first, his low block on trailing Bengals CB Eli Apple, resulted in a fine of $13,367. He also got hit with a fine of $10,609 for hitting B.J. Hill after New England’s fumble near the goal line. That second play resulted in an unnecessary roughness penalty.

The dirty play on Apple resulted in plenty of headlines and clips on Twitter with NFL fans and media debating whether or not Jones is a dirty player, which is a concept he denies.

NFL fines Mac Jones for two dirty plays vs. Bengals

Apple certainly thought that play was intentional and dirty.

“He had a [BS] explanation. He knew what he was doing. He had his eye on my knee and he was trying to dive at it. You can tell,” Apple said via Jay Morrison of The Athletic. “I’ve never had that happen before with a QB. I’ve never even seen it before.”

These weren’t the first instances of questionable play from Jones in his career. He’s been accused of dirty actions on multiple occasions.

The NFL taking action with a couple of fines is a start, even if it is just a slap on the wrist. Prior discipline could lead to more harsh measures if Jones does something sinister on the field again, so he needs to watch his step.

Jones and the Patriots will take on the Dolphins on Sunday. They’ll finish the regular season against the Bills.