Peyton Manning rips Mac Jones for kicking Bears DB in the crotch – “That’s why D-linemen don’t like quarterbacks”

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones scrambled during Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears and ended up kicking a defender between his legs. On the Manningcast, while watching the replay, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning gave a little bit of insight as to why that might irk defenders across the league. He told his brother and the audience:

"Watch the end of this run here. Mac Jones with the slide. Watch this right here, a little kick. D-linemen don't like this, you can't hit the quarterback, but yet he can kick you right in the jewels. That's why D-linemen don't like quarterbacks."

Eli Manning could only grimace and nod in agreement. Mac Jones would eventually be replaced by Bailey Zappe but not for kicking a defender on the slide.

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Why was Mac Jones benched against the Chicago Bears?

Chicago Bears v New England Patriots

In a much-anticipated return to the lineup for the quarterback, Jones' day finished with a lackluster statline. He completed three of six passes for 13 yards and one interception. He rushed three times for 24 yards, including when he kicked the defender in front of him. It wasn't a good day for Maco Jones and he was pulled from the lineup after throwing the interception.

Zappe would go on to lead two touchdown drives in a row, including one in which he threw a 30 yard touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers. It could very well be that the starter wasn't in rhythm and the Patriots wanted to go with Zappe, who had helped them go 2-1 in Jones' absence, but it's also possible that this was a planned change. Speaking to reporters after the game, that's exactly what Bill Belichick said:

"I told the quarterbacks that we were going to play both of them, and that's what we did. That's not what it was, but you can write whatever you want to write. That's not what it was."

It's certainly hard to ignore the fact that he was benched in the second quarter after an interception, but Belichick insists that's not the case. Going forward, there is no indication of which quarterback will start, but given how much better Zappe played, it's hard not to expect him to be next week's starter.

If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Manningcast, NFL.com and H/T Sportskeeda.