ESPN analyst Rex Ryan has not been shy in criticizing New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Ryan took more shots at Jones after the quarterback’s performance against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Jones went 15-of-20 on the afternoon, throwing for 170 yards and an interception. He took five sacks in the game as well. His 25.9 quarterback rating was his third-lowest rating this season. The quarterback did average 8.5 yards per pass, but it was not enough in what was an inconsistent day.
Ryan used Sunday’s poor performance to take another shot at Jones, as the Patriots continue to freefall in the standings. He did not hold back, to say the least, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Adam London.
“It’s never a personal thing, I just give my opinion. I don’t know this young man from anybody, but he’s not an NFL quarterback,” Ryan said, when appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “He lacks the arm talent. Here’s the other thing: Any time the guy extends plays, which is what you have to do in today’s game, he’s awful. He’s absolutely atrocious. The worst part about this game, to me, is four sacks on third down. What are you doing?
“Can I prove that he’s got no arm? He averages 4.3 yards past the line of scrimmage on his pass attempts. That would be 32nd in the league. He completed 15 passes. Good for you. You take four sacks on third down. All you’re doing is hitting the check-downs because that’s all he can throw. Anything where he has to push the ball down the field, he struggles. It’s never personal. The guy can’t play. I said it four years ago and I still believe it.”
New England is in a bit of a bind at the quarterback position. They do not have any reliable starting options right now, and they still have the meat of their schedule to go.
There have been quarterbacks floated around as options for New England, including Kyler Murray.
Whatever the case may be, there is no quick fix for this year, and it seems like the writing is on the wall for Jones. Perhaps now, an earnest rebuild can begin in New England, as the Patriots look to get back in the playoff hunt in future seasons.
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