Bears player accuses Patriots of cheating ahead of matchup

As the Patriots prepare for their Monday Night Football matchup in just a few days, a player on the Bears has chosen to reignite the Deflategate scandal almost eight later. Yes, it is 2022 and the alleged deflation of footballs is back in the conversation once again.

When speaking to the media after practice on Thursday, Bears defensive lineman Justin Jones was asked about his initial thoughts on Bill Belichick ahead of their game with the Patriots. In one of the more shocking sound bites from this season, Jones referenced the accusations of cheating from the 2015 AFC Championship game.

"“Deflated balls. I heard it’s still going on. So I’m going to check [the footballs] before we go. I’m so serious. I heard it’s still going on so we’re going to see. I’m for sure checking. I play this game with honesty, you know what I’m saying?”"

There are multiple ways to break down his comments, one of which is relevant this season.

It is well-known that the Patriots tune out the negativity from the media, fans, etc., and use what they do hear about as bulletin board material. With the Bears entering this game as 7.5-point underdogs, it was not the smartest of ideas to provide Belichick with any more ammunition needed to guarantee a New England win.

Outside of that obvious point, it is truly bizarre that a player in today’s league would even utter the words of Deflategate knowing how convoluted the situation became. Not only did the scandal evolve from its original purpose of punishing a team for allegedly cheating, but it also became about the powers of Roger Goodell and the guidelines allowing him to be the judge, jury, and executioner.

It has been nearly eight years since the Colts accused the Patriots of tampering with footballs and the punishments handed down by the league have been completed. Not to mention, the Patriots went on to win three more Super Bowls under the Deflategate microscope, but Jones is apparently ignorant of that detail as well.

So what is the point of mentioning it now? And who is Jones referencing when he proclaimed he’s “heard” it’s “still going on?”

Regardless of the answers to those questions, the Patriots will now have a bit of extra motivation heading into this game on Monday night and the Bears will have Jones to thank for it.