I hate that it’s come to this. Quarterback Mac Jones didn’t have it easy the first three seasons of his career. After being drafted #15 overall by the New England Patriots in 2021, there was immediate pressure to fill the shoes of Tom Brady. Jones fresh off a national championship victory at Alabama, had known nothing but success. He was considered the most pro-ready quarterback of his class outside of Trevor Lawrence. A high bar surely, Lawrence had been the #1 prospect since high school.
Jones immediately looked the part as he came into Foxboro, Massachusetts for his first training camp. In the summer of 2021, he stole the job from Cam Newton. Through his rookie season, he directed the Patriots to a 10-7 record, and into the post-season for the first time since Brady had left. There was room for optimism, and many Patriots fans, myself included, thought we had our quarterback of the future.
The harsh reality set in though. Thanks to some questionable coaching staff decisions by Bill Belichick, and some poor drafts/signings, it became evident there were limits to Mac Jones and his ability. He wasn’t all that and a bag of chips. He couldn’t overcome Matt Patricia and Joe Judge being his offensive play callers. Nor could he overcome having less-than-stellar talent on the offensive side of the ball. Even a quarterback controversy ensued as fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe filled in for Jones in October after a sprained ankle. To be frank the offense looked better than it ever did under Jones in 2022.
There’s No Coming Back
Embed from Getty ImagesThis past year, to sum it all up, there’s no coming back. Despite the Patriots hiring a real offensive coordinator in Bill O’Brien, they were league-worst in many areas on the offensive side of the ball. In 11 starts, Jones threw for 2,120 yards, 10 TDs, and 12 INTs. In multiple games, they got shut out and gave out defensive touchdowns like candy on Halloween.
Jones was so bad, that he was permanently benched for Zappe after the first half of a week 13 game against the New York Giants. A game that ended in a 10-7 loss. Over a three-game stretch, the Patriots had given up just 26 points and were 0-3. The Patriots ended 2023 with a 4-13 record and the third overall pick. Jones had been deemed inactive in the season-closing loss to the Jets. Bill Belichick has exited the building, and a new regime holds the reigns for the future.
What do Mayo/Van Pelt/Wolf think?
Embed from Getty ImagesMac Jones is in a pivotal year contractually. The Patriots have to decide on his fifth-year option, and after his career so far, it’s not a shock they’re rumored to decline it. Meanwhile, they hold the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and also the second most cap space in the NFL. The Patriots will likely never have an opportunity like this again. But new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and head coach Jerod Mayo to this point have insisted there’s a “clean slate”.
Patriots Offensive Coordinator Alex Van Pelt:
— Casey Baker (@_CaseyBaker) February 21, 2024
“The best thing for everybody is it’s going to be a fresh start for everybody. I talked to a couple guys already to come in with a clean slate… I talked to Mac [Jones] a little bit… I met Pop [Douglas].” pic.twitter.com/yao0bZrDGw
Meanwhile, defacto GM Elliot Wolf has a different perspective.
Patriots GM Eliot Wolf on the quarterback position:
— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 27, 2024
"Body language on the field is very important at that position. You don’t want a guy that’s throwing his hands up after a bad play or you can see him physically pointing at someone."
Loud and clear. 👀 pic.twitter.com/eWfHg2l97W
A targeted shot at Mac Jones for sure. We all know the viral clips from 2022-23 where he’s throwing fits on the field and the sideline. It’s just no longer a good fit. When it comes to the most important position on the football field, things have to click. Running it back with Mac Jones isn’t a smart idea.
We can make all the excuses we want about his surrounding talent and the bad decisions that Belichick handicapped him with, but at the end of the day, his play hasn’t been good. Surely not good enough to justify passing on a QB class filled with talent. It’s not good enough to pass up on an established veteran who can hold them over if they choose to trade down in April. Jones might not have been dealt a fair hand, but it’s not on the new administration to right every wrong of Bill Belichick.
Making a Clean Break
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s honestly best for both parties if they go their separate ways. Jones can’t carry this team to the promised land. He simply isn’t good enough, nor is the team good enough to rally around him. He could use a change of scenery on a team that isn’t in a rebuild. With an established coaching staff that could get the most out of him. The Patriots aren’t that. And, likely, they won’t be that for a while. Somebody like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, or JJ McCarthy is good enough and has that upside to build around. Jones in a fourth season, with the red flags and sour taste that come with him, simply doesn’t have that anymore.
Patriots fans, stop pretending that there’s still something left with Mac Jones. Because even if there is, you’ll never get it in Foxboro. The well has been poisoned. It’ll be his fourth coaching staff in four years. These coaches should want their choice of quarterbacks, not strapped to the mistakes of yesterday. And Patriots fans should want that more than sticking by their former first-round pick that never panned out. Let’s make a clean break, and move on and into a new generation of Patriots football.
If you enjoyed this content, or hate it and want to argue with me, follow me on Twitter @KalebEmcee! Feel free to check out the work I do on Foxboro Beat! Also, read up on the rest of the NFL content Belly Up Sports has to offer here!
