Jason Kelce: Mac Jones looked like a ‘sad dog’ on ‘dirty play’

Mac Jones looked like “a sad dog” during his controversial hit on Eli Apple in Saturday’s Patriots-Bengals game, according to Jason Kelce.

Other NFL players, including Apple, have accused Jones of being a “dirty player.” Kelce, a center for the Eagles, sort of agreed.

“He’s gonna get fined, for sure,” Kelce said of Jones during the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast, which he co-hosts alongside brother his brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. “The league’s gotta make a stance on it. I actually really don’t think — I mean, I know it’s dirty. On the level of like dirtiness, I don’t really think it was that bad. The first time I saw it, I thought it was dirty as hell. Because, like, Eli Apple isn’t even involved in the play. Like he’s like three people back from where the ball — it was just very weird that he chose to do that. I feel like it’s dirty.

“… It looked like he just kinda lied down in front of him, like a sad dog,” Jason said as Travis laughed. “He just kind of sat it down, he got tripped over. I didn’t think it was like intent to injure like everybody’s making it out to be personally. It’s definitely not acceptable. He’s got some other questionable ones that I think are more dirtier than that one.”

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones throws his body in front of Bengals cornerback Eli Apple during a controversial play in a game on Dec. 24, 2022. Twitter

In the fourth quarter of Cincinnati’s Week 16 win, Jones threw his body at Apple’s legs while Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt returned a recovered fumble.

The NFL is reportedly expected to fine Jones $11,139 for his low block on Apple, who told NESN.com, “I thought it was a dirty play. He’s done that before, I’ve seen it.”

On Wednesday, Jones addressed the matter, and was asked whether he plans to appeal the fine.

“Really just focused on this week and let everybody else handle that stuff for me,” Jones said. “I’m focused on this week and doing my job. That’s the important part, is every week you look at the game film of the game you just played and then you try to find out what you can do better. I’m kind of in that process right now of what can I do better and how can I execute my job better.”

Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce discuss Mac Jones’ hit on Eli Apple in the Patriots-Bengals game on Dec. 24, 2022. YouTube/New Heights Podcast

When asked about the narrative that he’s a “potentially dirty player,” Jones said: “Everybody has an opinion and the biggest thing for me is focusing on being the best teammate I can be and earning the respect of the people in this building and the people I care about. Obviously, I have respect for everybody around the league. It takes a lot to get to this league. There’s really good players out there, and we’re all playing hard and trying to win.

“At the end of the day, you have to keep that in mind. It’s a game and you want to just have fun, enjoy it and compete against each other. That’s something that I’ve always done and I know my teammates appreciate that about me. So, [I’m] excited about the opportunity this week. Obviously, a great team we get to go against. Another opportunity, you don’t know how many more you’re going to get with this group of guys. That’s what it’s all about, is the players in our locker room and on our team. Excited, great day of practice today and obviously need to build on it and stack up these days.”

Patriots quarterback Mac Jones gestures as he walks to the sidelines in the fourth quarter of a game against the Bengals on Dec. 24, 2022. Boston Globe via Getty Images

During the podcast episode, Travis said Apple is “a guy who talks a lot of s–t, and Mac Jones probably got fed up with it.”

However, Travis criticized the hit, saying, “You hate to see it, man. That kind of stuff has no business in the league,” adding that it is fine-worthy.

“You try and keep your composure in moments like that, especially when things aren’t going great — that’s when it typically happens,” Travis continued. “Frustration adds to not having success onto the field. And how it’s just a big ball of f–k this and you just do something stupid… He’s gotta get fined.”

Travis added that scrutiny surrounding Jones is “mixed with what he’s done in the past.”

Jones has been accused of carrying out dirty plays on a number of occasions. In October, Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker accused Jones of kicking him below the belt on purpose during a win over the Patriots.

Last November, Panthers linebacker Haason Reddick called a play “completely dirty,” in which Jones held onto Panthers defensive end Brian Burns’ ankle, causing Burns to exit the game. He eventually returned after being evaluated in the medical tent.