Rob Ninkovich slams Mac Jones, saying he wanted to ‘hit’ the quarterback

Patriots

“I’m gonna beat up (expletive) (expletive) Mac Jones. I don’t care.”

Rob Ninkovich apparently wasn’t the biggest Mac Jones fan in New England.

The former Patriots center and two-time Super Bowl champion didn’t mince his words on the latest episode of the Dan and Ninko Show podcast about the former New England quarterback — criticizing the former first-round draft pick and praising Drake Maye’s early performance.

“Look at that damn Mac Jones in Jacksonville right now. He’s playing everywhere in net,” Ninkovich said of Jones, who has carved out a role as a backup to Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville after a strong preseason.

When co-host Dan O’Brien pointed out that Jones clearly disliked Ninkovich, the former offensive lineman had no shortage of sarcastic remarks about Jones.

“I don’t give a damn about the (expletive),” Ninkovich said. “I’ll beat the (expletive) (expletive) out of Mac Jones. I don’t care. Do you care if someone doesn’t like you? … “… I hope he has a great career as a backup and makes a lot of money.”

Even though Jones led all NFL quarterbacks with a 115.9 passer rating during the preseason game against the Jaguars, Ninkovich emphasized that it was time for the Patriots to move on, adding that he was impressed with how Maye handled the pressure of being the next franchise candidate in New England.

“It didn’t work out. They needed a change,” Ninkovich said. “The very demeanor of Mac Jones and Drake Maye is completely different.”

Ninkovich then cited the inspiration for Jones and his typical commentary during New England’s post-game press conferences during his three seasons with the Patriots.

“I couldn’t listen to, ‘Yeah, you know, I just have to keep working and I have to be better and, um, you know, I’m just going to keep working hard and just… all together and, um, yeah, this wasn’t my best and I have to be better.’ Over and over and over and over again,” Ninkovich said.

“I’d rather listen to Drake Maye than be like, ‘Yeah, my modeling career didn’t work out, so, um, now I’m back in Jacksonville.'”

It’s unclear what history Ninkovich and Jones have, but it’s clear Ninkovich is pleased the Patriots are entering the 2024 season with a rebuilt group of quarterbacks between Maye and Brissett.