In a surprising move, the New England Patriots have decided to cut ties with cornerback Jack Jones following a string of off-field issues and poor performance. The team announced his departure late Sunday night, shortly after their disappointing 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Jones' time in New England ends with a tumultuous tenure marked by legal troubles and a decline in playing ability.

Jones, 25, had recently been benched for the first quarter of the team's last two games due to both performance and off-field issues. Reports emerged that he had missed curfew at the team hotel the night before their home loss to the Washington Football Team on November 5. Sources close to the team indicated that Jones' attitude and lack of engagement had not improved during their trip to Germany, leading to his continued detachment from teammates on the field.

When questioned about Jones' situation, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick opted not to delve into personal matters, deflecting the inquiries. The organization had previously supported the cornerback during a legal ordeal involving felony gun charges in 2021, which were later dropped as part of a plea agreement. Jones had also faced legal issues in 2018 for burglary, resulting in house arrest as part of another plea agreement.

Jones entered the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2022 after a tumultuous college career that included dismissal from USC and a stint at Arizona State. However, his disciplinary problems persisted in his rookie season as he ended the year on the suspended list for failing to attend rehab sessions. This offseason, he even walked out of a training camp practice.

The departure of Jones leaves the Patriots with a depleted cornerback depth chart, now relying on Jonathan Jones, J.C. Jackson, Myles Bryant, and Shaun Wade to fill the void. The team wasted no time in filling his roster spot, claiming running back JaMychal Hasty off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hasty, a 27-year-old who has seen limited action this season, brings a fresh set of legs to the Patriots' backfield.

Hasty, who rushed for a career-high 194 yards and a touchdown in Jacksonville last season, previously entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020. The Patriots will be his second NFL team, and he joins a running back group consisting of Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, and Ty Montgomery.

Although Jones showed flashes of talent during his time with the Patriots, his off-field troubles and declining performance ultimately led to his departure. Meanwhile, the Patriots hope that the addition of Hasty will inject a new spark into their running game as they look to bounce back from their recent loss.