The Las Vegas Raiders have made their decision on cornerback Jack Jones.
On Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport announced that Jones has been released by the Raiders after they could not find a trade partner.
Jones being released saves the Raiders $3.4 million in salary cap space.
Jones joined the Raiders in 2023 as a waiver claim from the New England Patriots, largely due to his connection with then-head coach Antonio Pierce. In 24 games (19 starts), Jones recorded 94 tackles, 20 passes defended and five interceptions (three pick-sixes). However, his first season as a full-time starter in 2024 proved to be a bit of a struggle, giving up nine touchdowns and a passer rating of 108.9 on 88 targets.
The move comes as the latest change in what has been a turbulent career for the talented, but mercurial, defensive back.
Jones was released by the Patriots due to off-field issues, but it appeared Pierce gave him a second lease on NFL life with the Raiders. With Pierce gone, however, the new regime of head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek did not value Jones as highly. He now looks to free agency to find a spot to reignite his professional career.
With Jones now out of the picture, the Raiders need to replace him in the cornerback room. It is likely they will look towards the draft in that regard. Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Michigan’s Will Johnson are intriguing possibilities in the first round, while Iowa State’s Darien Porter stands out as a quintessential Carroll defensive back in the second.
Jones’s release is a disappointing end to a run that held so much promise not too long ago.
