The Cincinnati Bengals have kept quiet since cornerback Adam Jones’ January 3, 2017 arrest.
The case is currently making its way through the legal process with a pretrial hearing scheduled for April 24. On Tuesday at the NFL Owners’ meetings, Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was asked about Jones and his status with the team. He gave some vague answers, which you can read into as you wish.
“His case continues to move forward. It will be whatever it is,” Lewis said, via Bengals.com. “I don’t answer the question. Not a question I need to answer.”
Lewis has no real interest in talking about Jones’ situation, as he made clear here. The Bengals took a risk on Jones back in 2010 and it has largely paid off. But, his play took a big dip in 2016 after a contract extension was handed to him last offseason and his recent arrest makes him quite expendable. Though, it doesn’t seem the Bengals feel that way.
“As time has come out, other than his language what did he do?” Lewis said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “But that’s up to whatever happens. The case is still under review, we’ll see how it plays out.”
It seem here that Lewis doesn’t think Jones’ arrest is too big of a deal, as he asks, “what did he do?”
To answer to that question, Jones is being charged with three misdemeanors for assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing official business after being arrested at the Millennium Hotel in downtown Cincinnati just after midnight on January 3. He was originally charged with a felony count of harassment with a bodily substance as well, but, that charge has since been dropped. Jones can face jail time if convicted of the misdemeanors.
The language that Lewis references includes Jones telling the arresting officer that he’s, “a b–tch a–– ni––––” and saying “I hope you die tomorrow. You’re gonna be out of a job tomorrow.” In more than 20 minutes of dash cam footage, Jones is seen and heard curing at the officers over and over, without end. He also allegedly resisted arrest, head butted and kicked an officer and had to be put in restraints at the jail due to his behavior.
Jones has pleaded not guilty to the three remaining charges. He could still face a suspension from the NFL, regardless of the outcome of his legal case.
Here’s the NFL’s latest statement on Jones’ status:
Our review continues under the personal conduct policy, which states that a player may still be subject to potential discipline even if the conduct does not result in a criminal investigation.
It could be quite some time before the NFL makes a decision on whether Jones will be suspended for this arrest.
What do you think of Lewis’ comments? For those hoping Jones gets cut by the Bengals this offseason, I don’t believe it’s going to happen.