The New England Patriots begin their 2026 season with games against four of the NFL's 2025 playoff teams. It's a demanding schedule to tackle right out of the gate. The starters on offense and defense are poised to show well, though their depth remains paper thin.
The third leg of the stool, special teams, however, is bolstered by the tremendous force of punt returner (and slot cornerback) Marcus Jones, and his teammates are taking note.
Jones is a force whenever and wherever he gets his hands on the rock. He's an electric dynamo with the capability, à la TreVeyon Henderson, to take a ball to the house on any given play. He's one of the league's best punt returners and gives the Patriots a special-teams threat of the highest order.
Marcus Jones is an underrated star with plenty of versatility for the Patriots
The 27-year-old Jones, now a four-year veteran, flies under the radar at times since he plays a position, slot corner on defense, that isn't often in the limelight. Yet, when he's deployed as a punt returner, he truly shines and stands out like a supernova.
Recently, one of his teammates, Will Campbell, who strictly plays offense, expressed appreciation for that particular skill.
Boston.com's Colin McCarthy commented on Jones' punt-returning ability and the respect shown to him for that skill by Campbell.
"Marcus Jones might still be underrated as a slot corner in the NFL, but he has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous punt returners in the league...His play with the ball in his hand is so dynamic that he’s even taken snaps on the offensive side of the ball. Mike Vrabel hasn’t deployed him in that way yet.
If Jones ever does take offensive snaps again in New England, it’s a pretty sure bet that Will Campbell will have his back. Campbell gave high praise for Jones during a recent Patriots team meeting (via the Patriots’ 'Forged in Foxborough' docuseries). Vrabel was emphasizing special teams importance and asked the room why punt return is so important for them. Campbell didn’t miss a beat: 'Because we have Marcus Jones.'"
That's high recognition from a teammate, and Jones is well worthy of the accolade. At 5'8", he's an anomaly as a slot cornerback who has to contend with bigger receivers, backs, and monstrous tight ends in the course of his duties.
Yet, though his height may not be optimal, he's still a solid slot corner and a stalwart on the Patriots' defensive side of the ball.
Interestingly, McCarthy notes that when deployed on offense, which he seldom has been, and hasn't been by Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels at all, the versatile Jones is especially "dynamic". It's been a clear coaching blunder that the team hasn't taken advantage of Jones' breathtaking explosiveness on offense.
As a pass receiver, he's an absolute menace.
The thought of him and TreVeyon Henderson on the field together would send shivers up the spines of every NFL defensive coordinator who has to face them. They'd be a nightmare duo.
Regardless, as a punt returner, Jones will continue to cause restless nights for any team the Patriots face, and it's nice to see his teammates appreciate it.
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