WATCH: Mac Jones was talking trash at the Pro Bowl
Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones clearly had fun at the Pro Bowl. Between winning the accuracy competition, getting the most playing time of the AFC quarterbacks, and his Griddy dance, Jones stole the show in Las Vegas.
Tthe NFL’s mic’ed up footage of the game shows just how much Jones was enjoying himself. He seemed to want to chat with everybody on the field – and not just his teammates. The cameras caught Jones engaging in some good-hearted trash talk throughout the game, including after his touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow.
“Where were you at? Where were you at the whole drive,” Jones asked Buccaneers All-Pro linebacker Devin White. “You were playing on your phone the whole drive.”
He then turned his attention to veteran Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, who was walking by. “What’s up bro? Remember when I torched y’all in training camp?”
Mac Jones to Eagles CB Darius Slay after his Pro Bowl TD pass: “What’s up bro? Remember when I torched y’all in training camp?” pic.twitter.com/ejDyosEbp5
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) February 10, 2022
The exchange ended with Jones getting a pat on the back from former Patriot Chandler Jones. After the game, the elder Jones tweeted that he “became a Big Mac Jones fan” over the course of the weekend.
Meanwhile, Mac wasn’t afraid to take some shots at his own teammates as well. Not just his AFC teammates, but his Patriots teammates.
“I wish I played with [Matthew Slater] back in the 80’s,” Jones joked standing with the Patriots’ captain on the sideline. “They had those leather helmets.” Slater, who is 36, appeared to get a kick out of the comment.
Mic’d-up Mac Jones: “I wish I played with (Matthew) Slater back in the ‘80s. They had those leather helmets.” pic.twitter.com/7CZ5w6gJNJ
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) February 10, 2022
In the mic’ed up, we also got to see the genesis of Jones’ Griddy dance. It turns out, the inspiration came from star Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
“You Griddy out there, that place is goin’ nuts,” Mahomes told Jones in the tunnel before the game. “Gonna have to just run by people when they (sic) do it,” he continued – a suggestion Jones followed to a tee.
"You Griddy out there, that place is goin' nuts."@PatrickMahomes set up @MacJones_10! 😂
— NFL (@NFL) February 9, 2022
(via @nflfilms) pic.twitter.com/yg5kG12tIK
Of course, Jones wasn’t the only Patriots player taking part in the Pro Bowl. Here’s a look at the top moments from all four participants…
WATCH: Top Patriots Pro Bowl moments
The NFL held the first Pro Bowl in two years on Sunday, after last year’s game was canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. This year’s game featured a heavy Patriots presence, with four players representing the team for the AFC, which won 41-35.
From Mac Jones dancing to J.C. Jackson living up to his nickname to Matthew Slater playing out of position, here are the top moments from the Patriots at the 2022 Pro Bowl…
Mac Jones: Between whistles
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC quarterback Mac Jones of the New England Patriots (10) looks to pass the ball against the NFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
When the game was on, Mac Jones got the most play of any AFC quarterback. He finished the game 12-of-16 with 112 passing yards. In the third quarter, he made an impressive throw while rolling to his right, pinpointing a pass to Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow for a touchdown.
.@MacJones_10 to Hunter Renfrow for the AFC TD!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 6, 2022
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/atCA1IZUvNMac Jones: After the whistle
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots rushes with the ball during the second half against the NFC during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
For all he did throwing the ball, Jones’ viral moment came after a play. The relaxed nature of the game resulted in him being whistled down on a scramble despite not being touched. Yet Jones continued running all the way to the end zone and then broke out in the Griddy, which has become a popular touchdown celebration across the NFL this year.
THAT @MacJones_10 GRIDDY 😂
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 6, 2022
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/HjmwBq30V0This just deserves another moment 😂@MacJones_10 | #ProBowl pic.twitter.com/Lh4lfSJF69
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 6, 2022J.C. Jackson’s tip-drill grab
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: J.C. Jackson #27 of the New England Patriots catches the ball for a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the NFC during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Pending free agent J.C. Jackson lived up to his nickname of ‘Mr. INT.’ In one of the highlights of the game, Jackson made a bobbling, tip-drill, toe-tap interception off of Russell Wilson in the end zone. It was one of four AFC interceptions in the game.
.@MR_INT with the #ProBowl pick!
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 6, 2022
📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/zK9jOmJDxsMatthew Judon leading the defense
Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC outside linebacker Jatthew Judon of the New England Patriots (9) and defensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders (98) sack NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings (8) during the second quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Judon led the AFC defense in more ways than one. He recorded six tackles, which was the most by any defender on the team. While on the sideline he was his usual energetic self, setting the tone and engaging with both teammates and fans.
.@man_dammn's pregame routine continues at the #ProBowl pic.twitter.com/0MCMbGv03h
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 6, 2022Those @man_dammn moves on the #ShowtimeCam 💯 pic.twitter.com/oMN2PiFnA0
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 6, 2022Matthew Slater playing out of position
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 06: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys catches the ball for a touchdown as Matthew Slater #18 of the New England Patriots attempts to defend during the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on February 06, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Originally selected to the game as a special teams player, Matthew Slater got some reps on the defensive side of the ball too. Slater briefly got into the game at safety – the position he played in college at UCLA. He unsurprisingly looked a little rusty as CeeDee Lamb beat him for a touchdown (the relaxed nature of the game didn’t help either). Slater hasn’t played regular defensive snaps in the NFL since 2011, when injuries led to him seeing a significant role at safety for a short window.
Throwback to the UCLA days … Matthew Slater at safety. pic.twitter.com/daTwVSlDvl
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) February 6, 2022
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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
