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Dre'Mont Jones Targets Seahawks with Postgame Snap

By Sports Desk · 2026-09-11 · 3 min read
A crumpled football resting on green artificial turf
Illustration: Tradingbird

Dre'Mont Jones turned a Week 1 defeat into a statement, posting a photo of himself driving Sam Darnold into the turf with a provocative tag.

The green artificial turf still held the scuff marks of a violent collision when Dre'Mont Jones captured the moment. In the flash of the stadium lights, the New England outside linebacker pressed Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold into the ground, a physical testament to a rivalry that refuses to settle. The image, posted to Instagram immediately after the Patriots' 13-10 loss, did not require much explanation. Jones tagged an account handle reading @f***_the_seahawks in the bottom-right corner, a digital scar left on the digital landscape of social media. The post spread with the speed of a breaking play, catching the attention of fans who had just watched their team fall short on opening night.

It was a blunt, unfiltered message from a player who knows the stakes of the NFL. The photograph showed no hesitation, only the raw force of a defender doing his job with evident intensity. For Jones, the act of posting was as significant as the sack itself. It served as a reminder that his time in Seattle, while productive, ended with friction that has not fully dissipated. The digital footprint of the post outlasted the final whistle, ensuring that the conversation would continue long after the crowd had cleared the stands.

Friction from a Seattle tenure

Jones spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons in the Emerald City, signing a three-year contract that seemed to align his career with the Seahawks' defensive identity. During that time, he became a familiar presence on the field, contributing to a defense that often dictated the pace of games. However, his departure was not a clean break. The relationship soured before he crossed the Atlantic to join Mike Vrabel’s program in Foxborough. Now, as a key piece of New England's defensive scheme, Jones carries the weight of those unresolved tensions.

The connection to Sam Darnold adds a personal layer to the professional animosity. It was Jones who recorded the sack that resulted in Darnold’s hip injury, a moment that altered the trajectory of the quarterback’s season. That physical interaction, captured in game footage, now resonates with new meaning in the context of their current opposing roles. Jones’s post on Instagram was not merely a celebration of a tackle; it was a reassertion of dominance over a former teammate. The rivalry, fueled by past events and present competition, now feels charged with a specific, personal energy.

Defensive dominance meets offensive collapse

The Patriots’ 0-1 start carries a complex mix of frustration and potential. New England’s defense dominated for much of the opener, limiting Seattle’s offensive output and knocking Darnold from the game. The unit’s ability to generate pressure and create turnovers was on full display, showcasing the depth of talent on the roster. Yet, the offense collapsed late in the game, with quarterback Drake Maye throwing three second-half interceptions that squandered leads. The contrast between the defensive effort and the offensive struggles highlights the team’s current imbalance.

Compounding the offensive woes, the Patriots lost prized wide receiver AJ Brown to a high-ankle sprain, an injury expected to sideline him for three to six weeks. This loss adds another layer of concern to an otherwise highly anticipated campaign. With Christian Gonzalez recently securing a record-setting four-year extension, expectations in Foxborough remain high. The organization believes in its core, but the injury to Brown forces a reliance on other playmakers. Jones’s aggressive post serves as a reminder that the defense remains a potent weapon, even when the offense falters.

A rivalry that feels settled

New England now faces an extended mini-bye before hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers, a period that offers a chance to regroup and refine offensive mechanics. The break allows the coaching staff to address the issues exposed in Week 1, particularly the late-game mistakes that cost them the victory. Meanwhile, Jones has added another spark to a rivalry that suddenly feels far from settled. His social media activity signals a mindset that is locked in, a determination to prove that the Patriots are a force to be reckoned with.

As reported by Yahoo Sports, the attention surrounding Jones’s post reflects the broader narrative of a team rebuilding its identity. The Patriots are no longer just a defense-first squad; they are a team with a star offensive line and a quarterback capable of elite play. Jones’s actions, whether seen as petty or passionate, underscore the high stakes of the league. Every interaction, every tackle, and every post carries weight in the pursuit of a championship. The rivalry with Seattle is just one thread in a larger tapestry of competition, one that Jones is determined to control.

Based on reporting by Yahoo Sports, compiled by the Tradingbird desk.

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