Category: Mac Jones

Former Patriots three-time Super Bowl champion sees Mac Jones staying in New England

Three-time Super Bowl champion RB believes Mac Jones will still be on the Patriots’ roster in 2024

A former New England Patriots great is throwing his support behind Mac Jones. Three-time Super Bowl champion James White believes that Jones will get one last chance to make an impact for the Patriots.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Jones to this point in his career. At first glance, his statistics look decent. He has thrown for 8,918 yards, 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in his three seasons with New England.

However, Jones regressed last year. He was benched for quarterback Bailey Zappe, following the November 26 game against the New York Giants, and never regained his starting spot for the rest of the season

There has been doubt cast on his future with the organization. The Patriots hold the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, which could give them the opportunity to select either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels at quarterback.

However, White believes there is a future for Jones in New England as he told Karen Guregian on the “Eye on Foxborough” podcast earlier this week, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Greg Dudek.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Everybody’s saying, ‘Trade and release,’ and all that stuff. Maybe a change of scenery is possibly what he wants, which could be good for him. But I’ve been saying all along I can very well see him being on the roster,” White said. “He can be a guy competing for a starting job, whether he actually wins out or not, whether they draft a rookie, whether they bring in a veteran guy. He’s had success in this league the last two years.

“It hasn’t gone his way, but if you bring in the right offensive coordinator, you allow him to compete with somebody else, who knows what may shake out next season?”

There’s a glaring need at quarterback on the Patriots’ roster, due to the inconsistencies at the position over the past couple of seasons. Jones competing for a starting job in 2024 could be in the cards as the Patriots turn the page with newly-hired head coach Jerod Mayo.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Here’s what Mac Jones said on Bill Belichick-Patriots split

Mac Jones extended his appreciation for former Patriots coach Bill Belichick

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones posted a heartfelt message to former coach Bill Belichick on Instagram, following Wednesday’s split between Belichick and the Patriots.

“Coach Belichick has made such a big impact on my life,” Jones posted. “I grew up dreaming of playing in the NFL and that dream grew even stronger after I watched Coach Belichick and the Patriots win the Super Bowl in my hometown.

“My dream to play in the NFL came true when I was drafted to the Patriots organization and I am grateful to have played for and learned from such a legendary coach. Coach Belichick has impacted me and so many other players in immeasurable ways. I wish Coach Belichick and his family continued success in the future. #ForeverNE”

Jones was the 15th overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft. The Alabama product has recorded over 8,000 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and 36 interceptions in a three-year career with New England.

Jones added another connection between the Belichick and Nick Saban coaching tree. Now, he will enter the 2023 offseason looking to turn the page in his fourth year, wherever that may be.

It will be interesting to see if Jones is part of the New England quarterback room next season. Things obviously didn’t work out for him under Belichick, but he’s still grateful to the former Patriots coach for getting his foot in the NFL door.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Mac Jones determined to bounce back in 2024 with Patriots or elsewhere

Mac Jones believes he let people down, but he is determined to bounce back in 2024.

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones indicated that he disappointed people in the 2023 season, which was a difficult year for the organization overall.

Jones finished the season throwing for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was benched multiple times throughout the course of the season, as New England struggled to find consistency at the quarterback position.

Jones’ last start came against the New York Giants on November 26. He went 12-of-21 on the afternoon, throwing for 89 yards and two interceptions. It was a microcosm of what was a tough season for the former first-round selection.

The quarterback met with the media on Monday and vowed to do better, wherever his next stop may be.

“A lot of that stuff’s in my control, and some of it’s not. I’m going to do everything I can for my next opportunity, whether that’s here, and really just push forward and continue to be Mac. That’s what it’s all about,” said Jones, via NESN’s Zack Cox.

It’s no secret that Jones has struggled during his time in New England. It’s also fair to say that personnel issues have reared their ugly head over the last couple of seasons.

Whatever the case may be, a change of scenery may be best for both the quarterback and Patriots organization moving forward.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Patriots assistant questions Mac Jones’ likeability in locker room

Is there a disconnect between Mac Jones and his teammates? One former Patriots assistant believes so.

Former New England Patriots assistant Michael Lombardi believes Mac Jones isn’t well-liked in the locker room, which has only added to the problems he’s having right now on the football field.

He pointed to examples such as Jones’ teammates having “no sense of energy,” when talking about him. Lombardi also believes that the quarterback “blames everybody through his body language, through his mechanics.”

“Nobody wants to hang out with Mac Jones,” Lombardi said on his “GM Shuffle” podcast, as transcribed by Boston.com. “Nobody wants to hang out with him. You can see it on these teams. So when you see a bad quarterback like (Tommy) DeVito — they’ll hang out with him. They’ll go over to his house and have chicken parm. Like, they like him. He’s no good — they like him, though. And I think that’s where we lose sight of it a little bit when we’re evaluating these quarterbacks. Because what is the likability of the player?”

Jones has had a difficult season overall. He has thrown for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. There’s a chance he won’t even start in this week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Yet, despite all of the noise surrounding Jones, his teammates continue to back him in front of the media.

New England could have a chance to revamp the quarterback position in the 2024 NFL draft. Currently, they hold the third overall selection for next April’s event.

At this point, a change of scenery for both Jones and the Patriots organization may do some good.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Was Bill Belichick all-in on Mac Jones from the start?

Was Mac Jones truly Bill Belichick’s first choice on the draft board, or was he pushed into making that decision?

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has obviously struggled this season, and questions are beginning to arise as to whether he was the proper selection for New England in the 2021 NFL draft.

Jones was the 15th overall pick in a draft that was heavy with quarterback talent. Quarterbacks taken that year included Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance with the first three selections. Jones was selected 15th overall and was thought to be a franchise cornerstone.

He has struggled throughout the course of his NFL career, but things have nosedived considerably in 2023. He has tallied 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this year, and he is coming off a two-interception performance against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Belichick was asked if he was pushed by owner Robert Kraft to draft Jones on “The Greg Hill Show,” and he claimed the organization thought it was the right thing to do. When asked to clarify later with the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, he doubled down on it being a collective decision.

“Collectively, yeah. We were all for that,” said Belichick. 

Jones has undoubtedly regressed from what was a solid rookie campaign in 2021. Now, the Patriots may have tough decisions to make, as they currently sit with a 2-9 record and the third overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

This Rob Gronkowski Patriots comment was hilariously brutal

Rob Gronkowski admitted Sunday’s game was the first half of a Patriots game he’s seen all season, and it left him stunned.

Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not mince words when talking about Patriots quarterback Mac Jones.

Jones struggled in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. He threw for 89 yards and two interceptions before being benched for Bailey Zappe in the second half. His 27.8 quarterback rating was his lowest of the season, and his season rating of 77.0 is the lowest in his three-year career.

Gronkowski appeared on the Fox NFL halftime show, alongside Michael Strahan, and summed up the first half of the game in the most “Gronk” way possible.

“It’s very frustrating as an ex-Patriot to watch the game,” said Gronkowski. “It’s actually one of the first times this year I’ve watched a complete half of a Patriots game, and let me tell you, it’s as bad as what the fans have been saying. Mac Jones should have thrown about four picks already.”

The Patriots ended up losing to the Giants by a 10-7 margin.

It’s safe to say that everybody is beginning to recognize the struggles Jones is having. One has to wonder if Jones will be able to salvage his season in the final six games.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Rex Ryan takes another shot at Patriots QB Mac Jones following loss

ESPN analyst Rex Ryan did not mince words when talking about Mac Jones.

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.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Twitter reacts to Mac Jones getting benched for third time this season

The Twitter reactions to Mac Jones being benched for Bailey Zappe were rough.

The New England Patriots lost to the Indianapolis Colts in brutal fashion by a 10-6 score on Sunday. It was a rough day especially for Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones, who was benched late in the fourth quarter.

This is not the first time that Jones has been benched this season. The former first-round pick has struggled throughout the year and has been benched three times this year alone.

He threw for 170 yards and an interception in the loss. It was the fourth game this season that he did not throw for a touchdown pass. All in all, his shaky performance raised further questions about his future in New England.

Twitter had a lot to say about Jones being benched for Bailey Zappe. Here are some of the opinions popping up on social media:

Colin Cowherd shares concerning report on Mac Jones’ attitude

This Colin Cowherd report isn’t a good look for Mac Jones.

A recent report by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggested that Mac Jones “infuriated” people within the New England Patriots’ organization. Now, FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd is speaking out about hearing similar rumblings about the third-year quarterback.

“Let me give you some inside sourcing,” Cowherd said on FS1’s “The Herd” on Thursday, via NESN’s Adam London. “There has been frustration for over a year that he doesn’t take to coaching and especially doesn’t take to hard coaching. [Tom] Brady took to hard coaching. Cam Newton, when he came in the building, was willing to be hard-coached. I have been told [for] over a year now [Jones] has lost some players in the room, the coaching staff. He’s bratty, he does not take too hard coaching.

“Well, that’s what [Bill] Belichick does. That’s generally what stars do. They like to be hard-coached. And that’s a real problem. So, when Albert Breer says that about coaching, that’s what I have heard. I’ve heard it over and over. Now, [Breer] is saying that. There’s real frustration in the building. They can’t get after him.”

This has been another frustrating year for Jones, who currently has 1,861 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the season.

The struggles date back to last season, when reports emerged that he sought outside help to fix the Patriots offense. Things don’t seem to be getting better for Jones, as New England currently sits at the bottom of the AFC with a 2-7 record.

These reports obviously don’t paint Jones in a positive light. However, the entire organization is unstable at the moment. There is a report that Bill Belichick might get fired if the Patriots lose to the Colts on Sunday. Couple that report with J.C. Jackson being sent home, and it’s clear that it’s been a busy week in the headlines for the organization.

There is still a fair amount of the season left to be played, but will Jones even make it that far as the starter? More importantly, one has to wonder if he will even be back at all in New England in 2024.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Mac Jones comments on seeking help outside of Patriots organization

Patriots QB Mac Jones was very forthcoming on the subject of him seeking outside help.

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones isn’t shying away from the fact that he talks to outsiders in hopes of improving his overall football knowledge.

But he also isn’t just seeking advice from quarterbacks, either.

“I always talk to the Alabama guys, right? There are a lot of Alabama guys in the NFL. I’m not talking about quarterbacks, just in general,” Jones said, when appearing on “Jones & Mego.” “Players, even the team we just played against. There’s a few guys that I played with. I think that’s a good resource when you’re talking to people, and it’s a fraternity. It’s Alabama fraternity, right? It’s everybody together. I think that’s a good resource.”

The 2023 season has not been a smooth one for Jones. He has recorded 1,861 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He is coming off a game on Sunday against Washington that saw him go 24-of-44 on the afternoon, throwing for 220 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Jones has also sought out advice from others, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky. It’s clear the quarterback wants to try to get better, as he looks to improve on his inconsistent play.

He is reaching a crucial point in his career, as the Patriots organization continues to freefall. Jones has had a difficult time succeeding in New England, partly due to his regression and lack of talent around him. It’s made for a difficult three seasons in New England, with seemingly no light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]