When the decision was made to release safety Reshad Jones, it marked the end of an era for the Miami Dolphins. The 2018 and 2019 seasons didn’t provide Jones with the storybook ending to a career in Miami that everyone would have probably preferred. But never the less, now that Jones has reached the end of the road with Miami, he’s thankful for the path he’s taken — even if he ultimately still doesn’t get his due.
Jones offered public comments about his run with the Dolphins and the end of his tenure in Miami courtesy of an interview with Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. Throughout the extensive interview, Jones’ tone offers several common themes. Gratitude would be one — but defiance would be another. Jones’ defiance was not necessarily aimed at the Dolphins, however. Instead, Jones took great exception to being snubbed from the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2010s.
“There is no way I shouldn’t have been on the All-Decade team,” said Jones via Schad. “You go look at any safety. Eric Berry, whoever. The numbers can’t compare. They don’t add up. I don’t have any regrets about my 10-year career, saying I should have done this or should have done that. If I play again is still in the air, but you know I feel like I got in and did everything I needed to do.”
From a raw numbers perspective, Jones brings up a fair point. But getting glossed over for his play is hardly something new for Jones, who made two Pro Bowls with the Dolphins throughout the decade and was clearly snubbed on two more seasons that were well deserving of Pro Bowl accolades. That’s an unfortunate byproduct of playing for a middling team, which was perspective that Jones himself acknowledged during his interview with Schad.
But at the end of the day, Jones offered love for the city of Miami, their fans and is proud of the legacy he’ll leave behind as one of the best defenders in team history.
“I went out every week for 10 years and laid everything I had on the line. That’s why I say no regrets,” said Jones.
“Some guys don’t practice hard. They go out and wish they could have done this or done that. I made Pro Bowls. I made money. I made the contracts. I earned my respect as a fifth-round draft pick. So I really have no regrets.”