After the New England Patriots released cornerback Jack Jones, the Las Vegas Raiders added him off waivers, and it proved to be one of their most significant pickups of the 2023 campaign. Although Jones had some baggage going into his first season in 2022, he displayed glimpses of his potential as an impact player.
At the time, Jones had been Antonio Pierce’s head coach at Long Beach Polytechnic during his high school career. Pierce was the Raiders’ interim head coach. The coach claimed that although there were significant reservations about signing Jones, Pierce was so sure of the cornerback that he was prepared to risk losing his position in order to do so.
“I ran straight upstairs to our interim general manager Champ Kelly as soon as [Jack Jones] hit that wire and I saw it come across.” In the podcast “All Facts No Brakes” episode from February 8, Pierce stated, “I said, ‘Champ, he can help us.'”Aww, man, I don’t know, [Champ] remarked. He has a great deal of baggage. “Oh, I know,” I replied. I’ve been here for everything, so trust me. I then visited Mark Davis. “I don’t know A.P.” he said. Do you want to do that right now?
“I ran straight upstairs to our interim general manager Champ Kelly as soon as [Jack Jones] hit that wire and I saw it come across.” As Pierce put it in the podcast “All Facts No Brakes” episode from February 8, “I said, ‘Champ, he can help us.'”Aww, dude, I have no idea, said [Champ]. He carries a lot of stuff. “Oh, I see,” I answered. You can trust me—I’ve been here for everything. After that, I went to see Mark Davis. He said, “I don’t know A.P.” Would you like to do it now?
Antonio Pierce Defends Jack Jones
Jack Jones has never worried about talent. After high school, he was heavily recruited and enrolled at USC. After a few off-field problems, he eventually transferred to Arizona State, where he was reunited with defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce.
Pierce still has faith in Jones despite the fact that he has experienced his fair share of problems off the football field.
Jack is first and foremost a good young man, according to Pierce. He is a paternal figure. He obtained his degree from ASU. He made choices that, at some point in our lives, we all regret having made. He has never caused harm to anyone. He hasn’t done something so heinous that it would warrant his imprisonment. ..
He will, however, perform at his best when placed in a setting and culture where he can learn, be led, groomed, hugged, loved, and disciplined—and where you can continue to repeat that cycle with him. And that’s exactly what you witnessed throughout the last six or seven weeks of his stay with us. For he is a challenge on the field—but in a positive way.”
Jack Jones Should Be Key Player for Las Vegas Raiders
If Jack Jones plays as well as he did in 2023, the Raiders may have a long-term cornerback in their lineup. The team has had difficulty finding a reliable cornerback for several years. One of the NFL’s best slot cornerbacks is Nate Hobbs, and Amik Robertson had a significant season of growth.
The Raiders have a very good trio of young cornerbacks if they can re-sign Robertson. It’s likely that the team still needs a real No. 1. They might have one of the top secondaries in the NFL if they could bring in a player like Jaylon Johnson.
