Dre’Mont Jones has suited up in 108 games across his eight-year NFL career. None of them, however, have come in the playoffs.
The 29-year old pass rusher is looking to change that, which is one of the driving reasons he signed with the Patriots in free agency.
“I haven’t experienced the playoffs since college football. So, I’m eager to be out there in the later parts of January instead of just doing — first week in January and I go home and try to figure out a vacation,” Jones said. “I’m going to experience that
atmosphere and be a part of something greater. My decision involved a bunch of different factors to come here. From the coach, to the team success and the defense’s success. So it’s been a bunch of different factors and I’m glad I’m here.”
Jones is not alone in his pursuit of a playoff berth.
After being drafting by the Jets in 2021, fellow free-agent addition Alijah Vera-Tucker has yet to make a postseason appearance to start his career.
“It is unfortunate — you’ve been in the league for six years and haven’t been to the playoffs yet. But that’s something I’m really looking forward to, and obviously everybody knows it’s not given, it’s definitely earned,” Vera-Tucker said. “Everything that we did last year, no one really cares, so it’s all about getting back there, what we can do now, each individual day, to strive for that.”
Coming off a Super Bowl appearance last season, New England prioritized Jones and Vera-Tucker in free agency to bolster both the pass rush and offensive line.
Jones’ three-year, $39 million contract was the first deal the Patriots agreed to during the legal tampering window. Later that night, they signed Vera-Tucker to a three-year deal worth up to $42 million. The duo now aims to help New England return to the playoffs, where they can make their debuts.
“The whole experience of it — I’ve heard so many different stories. I know a lot of different guys around the league, so I feel like everybody’s been to the playoffs except me,” Jones said. “I’ve heard it all, and it’s all been the consistent: it’s great, you want to be there, there’s nothing like it. I’ve been hearing those words for so many years. I think it’s time for me to be able to explain that to somebody who haunts been.”
