NEW YORK — If you thought you were safe from Mac Jones’ dance moves, think again. With the 2026 Pro Bowl Games set to take over ESPN this Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET, the NFL’s social media team decided the best way to sell the event was pure chaos.
The league dropped a throwback clip on X (formerly Twitter) late Thursday night, captioning it: “No one does the griddy like Mac Jones.” The video features a helmeted Jones—back in his New England Patriots days—stiffly shuffling through the tunnel alongside Justin Herbert while Patrick Mahomes encourages him to “swag it out.”
The Clip That Won’t Die
For the uninitiated, this footage isn’t from the 2025 season. It’s a “vintage” cut from the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas. That was the year Jones, then a rookie sensation for the Patriots, went viral for an 80-yard touchdown run that didn’t count (whistled dead) and a Griddy celebration that… well, let’s just say it lacked rhythm.
The NFL knows exactly what it’s doing here. By recycling this moment, they aren’t just selling a flag football game; they’re selling the vibes. The modern Pro Bowl Games have ditched the pads for skills challenges and flag football, leaning heavily into the fun, meme-worthy moments that players like Jones accidentally provide.
Mac Jones: From Meme to Hot Commodity?
The timing of this tweet is ironic. In 2022, Jones was the goofball rookie. Now, in January 2026, he’s one of the most intriguing names on the trade block.
After a rough end in New England and a stint in Jacksonville, Jones rebuilt his reputation with the San Francisco 49ers this past season. Stepping in for an injured Brock Purdy, he went 5-3 as a starter, throwing 13 touchdowns and looking like a legitimate QB1. While the internet laughs at his dancing, NFL GMs are currently watching his 2025 game tape with serious interest.
“You gotta swag it out at the end.” — Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (2022 Pro Bowl Archives)
How to Watch the 2026 Pro Bowl Games
If you’re tuning in to see if anyone can top Mac’s moves, here is the rundown. The event has moved to the Tuesday before the Super Bowl to capture that prime-time spotlight.
- Event: 2026 Pro Bowl Games (Skills Showdown & Flag Football)
- Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN & ABC
- Stream: ESPN+ and NFL+
Don’t expect a tackle football game. Do expect dodgeball, precision passing, and maybe—if we’re lucky—another quarterback trying to dance.
