Will the Patriots use Marcus Jones on offense this year? Here’s what Mike Vrabel said.
"He could certainly be a candidate to play offense just because of his skill set and the way that he moves."
FOXBOROUGH – Back in 2022, then-rookie Marcus Jones became the first NFL player since Deion Sanders to score on offense, defense, and special teams in the same season.
That was three years ago, and Jones hasn’t scored since. He did not get any offensive touches in 2023, and he was used sparingly (one catch and one carry) on offense in 2024.
Jones told Boston.com earlier this month that one of his top goals is to make it through the season fully healthy after missing all but two games in 2023 and several more last season.
Before practice on Wednesday, coach Mike Vrabel shed some light on what he expects Jones’s role to be this season.
“We need Marcus to be an elite punt returner and his ability to help the offense and be able to gain extra first downs,” Vrabel said. “And so, if he can do that, which he has, we’ll start there.”
“He practices very hard, very instinctive, plays outside, plays inside, really getting a nice feel for that position,” Vrabel added. “Asking him to blitz and coverage and just all the different looks. So, excited where he’s at and he could certainly be a candidate to play offense just because of his skill set and the way that he moves.”
Jones was a first-team All-Pro selection as a punt returner in 2022. Having that kind of a speed threat available on special teams is important, punter Bryce Baringer said.
“It’s everything. Our goal is to just block longer than he has the ball in his hands,” Baringer said. “If we do that, he can do anything with the football. He’s elusive, he’s shifty, and he’s talented. He can be a game changer.”
Jones was drafted the year after Josh McDaniels left to coach the Raiders, so he doesn’t have previous experience with McDaniels’s scheme.
The Patriots have have changed offensive coordinators every year since Jones has been in the league.
Matt Patricia and Joe Judge had play-calling duties during Jones’s rookie year, and they used him the most. Bill Belichick brought in Bill O’Brien for his final season in 2023, but Jones was hurt for most of that year. Jones was healthy for most of last year, but he did not get many touches under Alex Van Pelt.
The versatile Jones said he’ll be prepared if his number is called on offense.
“I’m primarily focusing on defense and special teams right now,” Jones said last week. “But if that time comes, when it comes, I’ll be ready for it.”
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