Despite Twitter rant, Byron Jones reportedly isn't retiring

Byron Jones. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Despite Twitter rant, Dolphins' Byron Jones reportedly isn't retiring

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 2/25/23

Despite suggesting the contrary in a series of tweets, Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones isn't calling it a career yet.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Saturday's social media rant wasn't a retirement announcement from Jones.

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

As Jackson points out, Jones' $14.4 million salary for 2023 isn't guaranteed, leading to speculation that the Dolphins will cut the veteran cornerback this offseason. Following Saturday's outburst, this scenario seems even more likely now.

Earlier on Saturday, Jones revealed that the physical toll on his body over a seven-year NFL career has left him unable to run or jump. Jones also made some inflammatory statements seemingly aimed at how the league handles player health, imploring 2023 draftees, "DO NOT take the pills they give you. DO NOT take the injections they give you."

If Saturday's comments weren't an official retirement announcement, one could be coming soon, especially if what Jones says about his current physical status is accurate. It's hard to imagine a player who can't run or jump suiting up for an NFL game anytime soon.

Jones started 16 games for the Dolphins in 2021, finishing with 58 tackles, 10 pass defensed and a forced fumble. The 30-year-old missed all of 2022 but has been with the Dolphins since 2020 following a five-year stint with the Dallas Cowboys, who selected Jones with the No. 27 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Connecticut.

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