Although Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce didn’t name anyone specifically when he criticized his team after their loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, cornerback Jack Jones is standing his ground.
Pierce criticized his players for making “business decisions” on the field during the 36-22 loss to the Panthers, and said he vowed to follow suit with “business decisions” of his own. He also reiterated that on Monday, criticizing “the entire defensive effort.”
Videos pointing to Jones soon surfaced on social media. There is one play in particular where Jones is seen watching the ball go by him instead of attempting to make a tackle. A second play shows Jones completely missing a tackle.
So on Tuesday, Jones took to social media to defend herself.
“Y’all couldn’t wait to say something bad about me,” he wrote. “Look at the other seven tackles I made instead of scoring one. I’m going to play next week. I’m better than I played and I know it and I’m going to prove it.”
They couldn’t wait to say something bad about me Check out the other 7 tackles I made instead of posting 1 tackle. Going to next week I’m better than I played, I know it and I’ll prove it.
— Jack Jones (@presidentjacc) September 24, 2024
He also insisted that any effort issues fans may be pointing to had nothing to do with his release from the New England Patriots midway through last season.
And that’s not why Bill cut me off… lol
— Jack Jones (@presidentjacc) September 24, 2024
Once again, Pierce didn’t specify what “business decisions” he wanted to make after the loss to the Panthers, which came on the heels of an upset win over the Ravens in Baltimore the week before. And the Raiders’ issues go far beyond Jones, who had seven total tackles, which was third-most on the team in that game. But there’s no question that those two instances, especially when taken out of context, weren’t Jones’ finest moments.
Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew also struggled. He completed just 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards with one touchdown and one interception against the Panthers. Minshew was replaced by backup Aiden O’Connell in the fourth quarter as well, after throwing his interception. O’Connell, who was the team’s starter last year, then led the Raiders on a long touchdown drive. Pierce declined to confirm that Minshew was still the team’s starting quarterback after that game, but Minshew is reportedly set to start next week against the Cleveland Browns.
The Raiders have some issues to fix before Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium. Jones admitted some of that is his fault, but putting all the blame on him won’t fix the problems.
“We recognized that there could be a slip-up in a game like this, where you have a high point against the Ravens and you’re facing a team that everyone expects you to beat. … Looking back, I think all of us, myself, the staff … just have to be better,” Pierce said Monday.
