New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has faced numerous allegations of playing dirty and taking things too far during his NFL career. However, the third-year player has avoided a fine following an investigation into the latest accusation made against him.
In the days following the New England Patriots vs. New York Jets game in Week 3, All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner accused Jones of a dirty hit against him after the whistle and shared video of the alleged action.
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On Wednesday, Jones downplayed the accusation to reporters and said any contact made with Gardner was unintentional. He also wanted to immediately turn focus away from it to the upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Just really focused on the Cowboys, trying to prepare for a good defense. That’s my focus — trying to control the controllables. I’m looking forward to just building this week. We have practice today. We have practice tomorrow and Friday. [Then a] game in a great stadium with a great football culture. So that’s what I’m kind of looking forward to.”
Mac Jones on allegations of making a dirty play on New York Jets’ Sauce Gardner
Following a multi-day investigation, including All-22 film and multiple other camera angles used to review the incident, the NFL made its final decision on Saturday.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Jones wasn’t fined by the NFL for his actions in last week’s game. While the NFL saw the video posted by Gardner, there wasn’t sufficient evidence to discipline Jones based on one player’s accusation.
This isn’t the first time Jones’ peers across the league have publicly called him out for questionable behavior. In December 2022, former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple called Jones out for a dirty play.
One year prior, Haason Reddick blasted Jones for a dirty and reckless move that injured Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns. The former Alabama quarterback was also called out this summer by Calais Campbell, one of the most well-respected players in the NFL, for ‘disrespectful’ trash talk.
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While the Patriots’ organization remains high on Jones, it’s evident that he does not have a favorable reputation around the league. While it won’t be an issue if he plays well, struggling on the field and being viewed as a “dirty” player by his peers could have long-term consequences for Jones.