Atlanta Falcons DL Calais Campbell says Mac Jones' trash talk crossed the line as 'disrespectful'

Patrick Mahomes knows how to play the political game between quarterback and defender. But long-time defensive end Calais Campbell said Mac Jones has yet to learn.

There is a ying and yang to the game of football. Quarterbacks want to make the beautiful, spectacular play. The hard-charging end or linebacker wants to stamp it out. But once the whistle blows, a quarterback and defender respect each other. One may even stick out his hand. Give a pat on the shoulder. Maybe there’s some trash talking. But it’s friendly and respectful.

Mahomes, who is featured in the docuseries Quarterback, said he sometimes will offer a compliment to the guy chasing him around the field. You might not get hit as hard the next time.

Campbell, the former Miami Hurricane, is prepping for his 16th NFL season. He signed with the Falcons earlier this year. And he agrees with Mahomes.

“That’s very true. He let the cat out of the bag now, though,” Campbell told reporters this week as the Falcons reported for training camp. “Be nice because you don’t want to get hit. But there is definite truth to that.”

Yet Calais Campbell said Mac Jones never understood the political game within the game. Jones, the former Alabama star, is entering his third season with the Patriots. Campbell said he’s the worst.

“I don’t even remember now (what Jones said),” Campbell said. “Just trash-talking to the highest level. But it was just, ‘You don’t trash talk me.’”

While Mac Jones is the worst, Calais Campbell said Andrew Luck was the nicest QB he faced

So now we know that Jones trash talks his opponents as well as his coaches. Cameras found Jones screaming at the Patriots offensive coordinator late last season. And there were reports that the young quarterback argued with his position coach during meetings. It’s part of why coach Bill Belichick said the quarterback competition was open between Jones and Bailey Zappe, although Jones likely has the edge.

If Mac Jones is the worst, who does Calais Campbell think is the most respectful. He names for Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who abruptly retired from the NFL several years ago. Other quarterbacks who are cool, in his opinion, include Aaron Rodgers. He said Philip Rivers, who also is now out of the game, liked to trash talk, but he never took it too far.

“Quarterbacks are smart,” Campbell said. “They know. Certain guys, you don’t want to piss off.”

The Falcons placed Campbell on the non-football, injury list as training camp started this week. However, he’s not expected to stay on the sidelines that long. He’s got a benchmark number coming up. His next sack will be No. 100. Alas, the Patriots aren’t on the Falcons schedule. So Calais Campbell won’t have Mac Jones in his ear.