New England Patriots defensive back Marcus Jones had an electrifying game on special teams against Carolina with a punt return for a touchdown and almost another. After the game, a reporter asked Head Coach Mike Vrabel if the team would consider playing Jones on offense. The hypothetical answer should have been: absolutely.
Marcus Jones is electric with the ball in his hands. Whenever he has the football in any kind of space, he's virtually unstoppable. It should be an easy decision for Vrabel to move him to offense now. Yet, up to now, like his two predecessors, he hasn't seen the efficacy of making that change.
The reporter's question was spot on, though it's been painfully obvious right along that Jones could be an electrifying offensive presence, especially with the brilliant Drake Maye at quarterback. Hopefully, the question will serve as a springboard for Vrabel not to ask, but instead instruct his Offensive Coordinator, Josh McDaniels, to prepare Jones to play offense against the Bills on Sunday.
Marcus Jones instantaneously upgrades the Patriots' offense
Mike Vrabel looked to increase the explosiveness of his offense this offseason. He drafted electric running back, TreVeyon Henderson, in the second round and added blazing fast Kyle Williams in the third. Henderson is emerging, and Williams, while he may take a bit longer, will too. They add a dimension to the offense that didn't exist in 2024.
Yet, Vrabel has an immediate option available to him right now. It's the absolutely electrifying Marcus Jones. A reporter asked Vrabel if he'd consider using Jones on offense.
Mike Vrabel asked if the Patriots would consider using Marcus Jones on offense: "We'd consider anything that would help us win and score points."
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) September 28, 2025
The problem is that the 5'8" Jones has been deployed almost exclusively on defense for the team as a slot cornerback, trying to defend 6'5" tight ends who outweigh him by 50 or 60 pounds. This hypothesis is not to suggest that Jones isn't a solid defensive back. He is all of that.
Yet, his size limitations limit his effectiveness. On offense, it may play to his advantage. His small stature, coupled with his quickness and elusiveness, is a handful for any defensive player.
Jones has the potential to be one of the NFL's most spectacular offensive players if he's correctly deployed on offense by Vrabel. Neither Bill Belichick nor Jerod Mayo had the perspicacity to put Jones where his greatest skills dictate: on offense. They might still be in Foxborough if they had.
Mike Vrabel was asked and answered correctly; now he has to follow through
The Patriots' Marcus Jones has been an explosive offensive player-in-waiting for three-plus years in Foxborough. The time has clearly come now to play him as a multi-purpose wide receiver. If Vrabel does, the Patriots could surprise the entire NFL, and even next week's opponent, the Buffalo Bills.
Fourth-year player Jones on offense presents an absolute nightmare scenario for any defensive coordinator. He's shown that as a punt returner and on the few occasions in the past when he played offense. His offensive stats are few but enlightening. He's been targeted five times and has caught five passes for 96 yards, a touchdown, and four first downs. That's five big plays in five chances.
A dynamic playmaker with excellent speed (he runs a 4.44 forty) and otherworldly quickness and elusiveness, Jones is a take-it-to-the-house threat every time he has the ball, as his punt returns confirm. Every defense would have to game-plan for Jones on offense. The Patriots have no player in that category now, but if used more, Henderson and Williams would also qualify.
It's time for Marcus Jones to play offense. Vrabel was asked if he'd consider using him there. The question implied, why isn't he there already? Vrabel and McDaniels have to finally realize that they have a potential offensive superstar on their hands. He'll absolutely help the Patriots score points and win games, as the coach noted. Hopefully, they'll now finally get the message and do the right thing.