The Las Vegas Raiders are set to part ways with veteran cornerback Jack Jones, marking the end of his tenure with the team after a little over a year. According to multiple reports, the Raiders attempted to trade Jones but, unable to find a suitable partner, will release him outright. The move, first reported by NFL Networkâs Ian Rapoport on Sunday, April 6, is expected to be finalized soon, freeing up $3.4 million in salary cap space for the franchise with no dead cap penalties.
Jones, 27, joined the Raiders in November 2023 after being waived by the New England Patriots, where he was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. His arrival in Las Vegas reunited him with then-interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who had coached Jones in high school and college. The connection paid dividends initially, as Jones showed flashes of brilliance during the latter half of the 2023 season, including two pick-sixes in back-to-back weeks against the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs.
However, his performance in the 2024 season was inconsistent. While Jones started 16 of 17 games and posted career highs with 69 tackles, 16 passes defended, and three interceptions, he struggled in coverage. According to ESPN statistics, he allowed 698 yards, nine touchdowns, and a 108.9 passer rating on 88 targets as the nearest defenderâfigures that underscored his up-and-down play. His tenure was also marked by tension, notably after Pierce publicly criticized some players for making âbusiness decisionsâ following a loss to the Carolina Panthers, a comment widely interpreted as directed at Jones. Jones did not start the following game against the Cleveland Browns, the only contest he came off the bench last season.
The decision to move on from Jones comes amid a broader overhaul of the Raidersâ roster under new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, who assumed their roles this offseason. With star cornerback Nate Hobbs departing for the Green Bay Packers in free agency and Jones now exiting, the Raidersâ cornerback depth is notably thin. Current options include Jakorian Bennett, 2024 fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson, and recent free-agent signee Eric Stokes, though the team is expected to prioritize the position in the upcoming NFL Draft, scheduled later this month in Green Bay.
Jonesâ release makes him an unrestricted free agent, available to sign with any team without requiring a compensatory pick. Despite his inconsistency, his career statsâseven interceptions, four returned for touchdowns, and 136 tackles across 42 gamesâcould make him an attractive option for cornerback-needy teams. Rapoport noted that Jones remains âan intriguing optionâ for clubs looking to bolster their secondary.