Former NFL Star Threatens to 'Smack' QB Mac Jones

Mac Jones does not have a friend in former New England Patriots star Rob Ninkovich .

The now-Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback was the subject of an expletive-filled rant by Ninkovich on the August 30 edition of "The Dan and Ninko Show."

While discussing the mental aspect of quarterbacks who play during the preseason, the two-time Super Bowl champion highlighted Jones' preseason success with the Jaguars. Then, things got personal.

"He don't like us either," Ninkovich said around the 1:01:00 mark of the show. "I don’t give a f***. I’ll smack the s*** out of f****** Mac Jones. … I don’t care. ... Do you care if somebody doesn’t like you? Exactly. F*** 'em. I hope he has a great career (pause) as a backup and makes a ton of money."

"It didn’t work out," Ninkovich added, later mocking Jones' tone with the media during his three-year stint in New England between 2021 and 2023.

He continued, "They needed a change. The demeanor! The demeanor alone between Mac Jones and Drake Maye are completely different. ... I’d rather listen to Drake Maye talk… I’m a nice guy too… I just needed some more nuts.”

Jones, who turns 26 years old on September 5, lit up the preseason for the Jaguars, completing 38-of-52 pass attempts for 421 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in three games.

Following the Jaguars' 31-0 win in their preseason finale, head coach Doug Pederson took a jab at New England's culture under the since-departed Bill Belichick, which many credit for Jones' lack of development since his 10-7 rookie season.

“He’ll still revert back to his Patriot ways every now and then and we’ve got to remind him he’s in Jacksonville, but he’s done a good job," Pederson told reporters .

Jones will sit behind former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence for the time being but could emerge as a potential trade candidate deeper into the 2024 season.

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