Cardale Jones is mainly known for his XFL 2.0 stint with the DC Defenders. What many don’t know is that Jones had a small stint in the NFL, so small and short that frankly it is forgotten.
Cardale Jones was drafted fourth round at 139th overall of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Being drafted in the middle rounds is not horrible, but it’s not exactly a player’s dream, for Jones it was luck in a way. The 6-foot-5 quarterback only started in 11 college games and suffered a hamstring injury at the NFL combine during his second 40-yard dash attempt, netting an early end to his showcase.
A third-string inactive placement would plague Jones for the first 15 games. The former Buckeye would sit behind starter Tyrod Taylor and primary back-up E.J. Manuel. He would be promoted to second-string ahead of the final week with Taylor’s absence.
Jones would end up appearing to start the fourth quarter in week 17 vs the New York Jets, going 6/11 passing for 96 yards with an interception. Buffalo would end up losing, 30-10.
The Bills’ organization would later trade Jones in the offseason to the Chargers. He would never appear in an NFL game again. A year with Buffalo with only a single in-game appearance was more than enough for the Bills’ to see.
Jones would get his revenge on New York several years later in 2020, when he led the DC Defenders to a 27-0 shutout win over the New York Guardians. 276 yards and two touchdowns marked his best career game in the XFL.
The league would then suspend games shortly after due to COVID-19, terminating contracts of all players.
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