On Saturday afternoon, Miami Dolphins veteran cornerback Byron Jones made some headlines across the NFL world when he took to social media to blast the NFL for their medical procedures while claiming that he can no longer “run or jump” due to injuries he sustained throughout his career. Given those claims, it sounded like Jones was set to retire from the league, but apparently, that’s not the case.
As reported by Miami Dolphins reporter Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Byron Jones is not retiring and there is no pending lawsuit against the league despite his tweets on Saturday.
“In wake of today’s tweets… Byron Jones is not retiring and there’s no pending lawsuit, per source. With his 14.4 [million] salary non guaranteed, the general expectation is he will be cut by Dolphins with post June 1 designation. But nothing has been settled on that front.”
In wake of today's tweets… Byron Jones is not retiring and there's no pending lawsuit, per source. With his 14.4 M salary non guaranteed, the general expectation is he will be cut by Dolphins with post June 1 designation. But nothing has been settled on that front.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) February 25, 2023
While this is likely technically true, there’s still a very good chance that Jones’ NFL career is over and he’s simply declining to formally retire for financial and contractual reasons. If he’s unable to physically play, it’s likely that he will be simply released by the Dolphins, allowing him to keep the $4.2 million in signing bonus money he would forfeit if he retired.
Regardless, it’s certainly a wild situation brewing in Miami.
