MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones isn’t claiming his troubles are just a misunderstanding.
He’s not blaming anyone else.
He understands why so many NFL teams passed on him, and how he went from being a starter last year to nearly being out of football this year.
“Absolutely, it’s understandable,” Jones said.
Jones’ latest – and possibly final – chance came last week when the Dolphins, hit with injuries in the secondary, called a player with a list of off-field problems, including a 2023 arrest after two loaded firearms were found in his carry-on at Boston’s Logan Airport.
Charges were eventually dropped.
Jones, 27, said his past transgressions led to a period of self-reflection.
“When you’ve got life looking at you, rather if you’re going to go down the left road or the right road, you’ve got to do some self-evaluating,” he said.
Jones said he leaned on past coaches, his agent and players such as T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Ryan Clark.
“I didn’t want to be stubborn and be like, ‘I’m gonna figure it out on my own,’ ” Jones said.
Jones began as a fourth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2022 out of USC. Coincidentally, the pick originally was owned by the Dolphins but was included in multiple deals best known for allowing Tyreek Hill to come to Miami.
Jones appeared in 18 games for the Patriots, starting two, before ending up with the Las Vegas Raiders for the past two seasons. Last year, he started 16 games, finishing with three interceptions and 69 tackles.
In 2018, Jones was arrested for allegedly trying to break into a Panda Express (charges were reduced). USC ruled him academically ineligible for fighting in practice. He also served time on the Patriots’ suspended list, reportedly stemming from a disagreement with the team over rehabilitating an injury.
Most recently, the Raiders chose not to re-sign him. When late July arrived and he was still without a team, it was time to worry.
“It’s definitely understandable on my part, though,” he said. “I’m not going to be a guy to be like, ‘Why didn’t you (sign me)’ when I understand why. I’m learning.”
On one hand, Jones has started half of the 42 career games he has played and returned four interceptions for touchdowns. On the other, he was charged with allowing eight TD passes last season, according to Pro Football Reference.
“I feel like with the talent I got, man, I shouldn’t be on three teams in four years,” he said. “It just lit a spark under me to do right – on and off the field.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins CB Jack Jones new chance in NFL: Blame me for my past troubles
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
