Former New England Patriots cornerback Jack Jones will have to look for a new team heading into the 2025 season. On Sunday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Las Vegas Raiders released Jones after attempting to trade him.
The #Raiders are releasing CB Jack Jones, sources say, after Las Vegas attempted to trade him. An intriguing option for a CB-needy team. pic.twitter.com/KciN550fPz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 6, 2025
The 27-year-old cornerback became a full-time starter last season in Las Vegas after joining the Raiders in the middle of the 2023 season. Jones had his ups and downs last year, producing a 52.9 PFF coverage grade (168th among 222 eligible cornerbacks).
The former Patriots defender recorded 69 combined tackles, 16 pass deflections, three tackles for loss, and three interceptions. Jones also possessed a 62.8 completion percentage allowed on targets, a 98.5 pass rating allowed when targeted (career-high), and gave up eight receiving touchdowns.
When Jones’ release was initially reported, some Patriots fans on social media were clamoring for the team to kick the tires on a potential return. New England selected the former Arizona State defender in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Jones appeared in 13 games (two starts) as a rookie in 2022 and 18 over the next two-plus seasons. The veteran defensive back had his time with the Pats abruptly end as they waived Jones in mid-November.
Before getting waived, the former fourth-round pick had an injured reserve stint in September of that season but was activated a month later on October 21, 2023. However, Jones was benched for reportedly missing curfew and poor play, forcing him to miss four games.
The veteran cornerback also dealt with off-the-field issues, as he was arrested before the 2023 season began in June after police found two firearms in his carry-on luggage at Logan Airport in Boston. Jones ultimately agreed to a plea deal in Sept. 2023, which included one-year probation and 48 hours of community service.
That said, after an up-and-down 2024 season in Vegas, the former Patriots defender will hope to land with a team that needs CB-depth before the 2025 NFL Draft, which is set to kick off later this month.