What has changed for an introspective Jack Jones and what he told the Dolphins
Jack Jones has a rare distinction among NFL cornerbacks: He has interception returns for touchdowns against three elite quarterbacks who have combined for seven Super Bowl appearances and two league MVPs.
But even with those pick-sixes off Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow (and one against then-Chargers backup Easton Stick), Jones still found himself unemployed, and with few suitors, when the Raiders released him in April. And that led to a crossroads moment of self-reflection.
“I didn’t like that teams were looking at me in a negative way,” Jones said last week. “Teams couldn’t put their trust in me, and I didn’t like that. It was a wake-up call that I’ve got to change. And if I don’t change, this cycle is going to keep happening over and over, and that’s not what I want.”
He realized he needed to become more mature and not let his emotions get the best of him. He conveyed that self-awareness, and a resoluteness to change, when he spoke with Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel before they signed him three days into training camp in July.
“We definitely had that conversation,” Jones said. “I thanked them for giving me the opportunity and giving myself an opportunity to prove myself once again. I’m going to take full advantage of it and prove every day I’m not the guy I used to be.”
Seven weeks later, Jones finds himself very much in contention to start Sunday’s regular-season opener at the Colts (1 p.m., CBS 4). Storm Duck is expected to be one of the team’s starting corners, at least initially, but there’s competition at the other boundary spot, with Jones and Rasul Douglas both top contenders.
The Dolphins’ initial depth chart lists Duck and Jones as the starters.
Jones showed such promise for New England early in his career, intercepting two passes as a rookie fourth-round pick out of Arizona State in 2022.
But trouble followed. The Patriots released him in November 2023, a week after he missed curfew for a game.
In June 2023, he was arrested at Boston’s Logan Airport after police allegedly found two firearms in his carry-on bag. Three months later, all weapons charges were dropped after Jones agreed to serve one year of pretrial probation and perform 48 hours of community service.
After the Raiders claimed him off waivers in November 2023, he kept forcing turnovers (five interceptions in 24 games and 19 starts for Las Vegas), but also gave up too many big plays. Last season, Jones permitted eight touchdowns and 571 yards in coverage, according to Pro Football Reference.
Jones, 27, knows he’s a better player than the one who was beaten on several deep balls with the Raiders last season. In his defense, his career passer rating against (84.9, per Pro Football Focus) is very good, and he held quarterbacks to a sterling 63 passer rating in his coverage area for the Raiders in 2023.
What’s more, he yielded just two passing touchdowns combined in 2022 and 2023, suggesting last year might have been an anomaly. His seven interceptions and 73 passes defended in three seasons are excellent.
Jones said he has corrected flaws in his technique, with the assistance of cornerbacks coach Mathieu Araujo and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
“I had no technique” last year, he said. “My technique from last year to this year is night and day. Guys will see that.”
Before relocating to Miami, Jones had all the footballs from his four pick-sixes displayed in his home. They will come out of boxes, for all visitors to see, once he’s settled in his new South Florida digs.
But as exhilarating as pick-sixes can be, there’s a broader goal: proving he can be trusted and forging a long career.
In the past, “I would give up a play, get emotional, then give up another play,” he said. “I can’t play like that.”
He said the most significant internal change he made in recent months is “not getting too high or too low on anything. When you’re on the field, it’s never as bad as you think or as good as you think. I put that in my life outside of football” and on the field as well.
Say this for Miami’s revamped secondary: They have a history of creating turnovers.
Besides Jones’ seven interceptions in 42 games, Douglas has 19 in 120 games and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has snagged 20 in 106 games, though just one in the past two seasons.
“You don’t just go out and be a ball hawk or you will be blowing coverages,” Jones said. “It’s working within the defense, knowing when to take risks and when not to take risks. It’s being a smart player. We do have guys that can create turnovers. We’re going to do really good this year.”
Depth chart news
One notable twist in the Dolphins’ depth chart: Chop Robinson, and not first-round rookie Kenneth Grant, is listed as a starter at defensive end. Grant is listed on the second team.
The team’s other starting defensive linemen are Zach Sieler and Benito Jones. The starting linebackers are Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson.
Also, Ashtyn Davis -- who has been injured for the past month -- is listed as the first-team safety opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick, with Ifeatu Melifonwu on the second team.
Here is my in-depth primer on the NFL on television this season, including what’s on each network and streaming service, what’s new and announcer changes.
This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 2:47 PM.
