Jack Jones Takes a Shot at Raiders, Proving Fans Right Once Again
The Las Vegas Raiders re-tooled their cornerback room this offseason in the image of new head coach Pete Carroll. Unfortunately, Jack Jones was a casualty of this change, as he was released just weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft.
As fans remember, Jones was originally claimed on waivers partway through the 2023 season by interim general manager Champ Kelly and head coach Antonio Pierce, the latter of whom was his high school head football coach.
Jones became an instant superstar for the Raiders' defense. In a Thursday Night Football game, he had arguably the most impressive pick-six in NFL history, and Jones also had an iconic interception of Patrick Mahomes on Christmas Day that he returned for a score.
Jack Jones takes shot at Raiders after big play in Dolphins win
But things fell apart a bit in his first full year in Las Vegas. Yes, Jones had three interceptions and 16 passes defended, but he also gave up 679 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air when targeted. It was always a bit of give and take with Jones, and the new regime wanted someone more solid.
Late in the offseason, Jones found a home with the Miami Dolphins, and he's had a bit of a quiet, albeit improved, campaign. On Sunday, he had his best moment of the season, as he picked off an errant Marcus Mariota pass in overtime to help the Dolphins earn the win.
After the big play in the triumphant victory, Miami's third-straight win, Jones took to social media and made a surprisingly, and needless, dig at the Raiders. It didn't land quite how Jones anticipated it would, as it just reaffirmed what fans already knew: they made the right choice waiving him.
At his best, Jones was a big play-maker on the ball when targeted. At his worst, Jones gave up far too much in coverage, and was at the center of speculation about Pierce's "business decisions" comments, as he was benched in the first quarter of the following game.
Las Vegas' cornerback room has been fine this season, as Eric Stokes has been a pleasant surprise, and both Darien Porter and Kyu Blu Kelly have shown promise. Moving on from him was, ultimately, mutually beneficial, as Jones had no future with the Raiders without Pierce.
If there was ever a perfect embodiment of Sin City, it was the way that Jones played cornerback for the Silver and Black. He was a known gambler, which got him in trouble far more often than it benefitted him.
He fit right into the glitz and glamor of the entertainment capital of the world, as Jones liked to put on a show. But at the end of the day, though Jones made some incredible, jaw-dropping plays, he and the team ended up with more losses than wins when he lined up out wide.
Both the franchise and Raider Nation eventually got sick of the flashing lights and endless risk-taking from Jones, as they craved a bit more consistency. One big play and win for him on Sunday does not change the fact that folding on the Jones experiment was the right call.
Aaron Rodgers’ Wrist Injury Could Stifle Pittsburgh Steelers’ Playoff Hopes
The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to fend off the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 despite losing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a wrist injury.
Sunday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the initial fear from one source is that Rodgers suffered “a slight break” in his wrist. Rodgers will undergo further testing on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury and how much time will be missed.
Schefter elaborated that it’s shaping up to be backup quarterback Mason Rudolph against the Chicago Bears next week.
Rudolph was 12-of-16 passing for 127 yards and one touchdown in relief of Rodgers. He was able to seal the 34-12 victory against the Bengals and send the Steelers to 6-4.
The Cleveland Browns didn’t do the Steelers any favors when they collapsed against the Baltimore Ravens. But with a 6-4 record, the Steelers are still on top of the 5-5 Ravens and in sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
But if Rodgers is forced to miss significant time, playoff hopes in Pittsburgh could be all but over.
This offseason, the Steelers signed the 41-year-old hoping to upgrade from Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, who both departed in free agency. While Rodgers took his time committing to Pittsburgh formally, the Steelers brought back Rudolph who flamed out in his lone season with the Tennessee Titans. They also drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on Day 3.
Without Rodgers, this Steelers squad barely has a chance. Even though Rudolph is in his sixth season of serving a backup role, he’s been wildly inconsistent when given significant action. The Titans were starving for a solution at quarterback when they turned to him, and he threw nine touchdown passes to nine interceptions.
More importantly, this Steelers offense leaves a ton to be desired.
Running back Jaylen Warren somehow isn’t used enough on a weekly basis. DK Metcalf was a big offseason acquisition who has been inconsistent. But outside of Metcalf? Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson are Pittsburgh’s other pass catching options.
The Steelers have the luxury of playing in a dreadful AFC North, but the Ravens are coming. Lamar Jackson was horrible in Week 11’s win against the Browns, but the Ravens still mustered an impressive win against an elite defense. They’ve won four straight games.
While Rudolph put together a respectable stat line in replacement of Rodgers, everybody knows how bad Cincinnati's defense has been.
The Bears are 7-3 and host the Steelers on Sunday. After that, the Steelers host the Buffalo Bills before traveling to Baltimore. Things are getting serious in Pittsburgh, and they could be without their starting quarterback.
