The New England Patriots made significant changes to their coaching staff and player personnel before the season to improve the environment around Mac Jones. At the midway point of the season, however, it appears New England is losing its patience with the young quarterback.
Jones looked like the next face of the Patriots’ franchise in 2021. He earned a Pro Bowl selection as a rookie, playing smart football and perfectly executed Josh McDaniels’ offense. While he might not’ve offered an All-Pro ceiling, New England was confident it found its next quarterback for 10-plus years.
- Mac Jones stats 2021: 67.6% completion rate, 92.5 QB rating, 223.6 pass ypg, 4.2 TD % – 2.5 INT %, 7.3 yards per attempt, 10.8 yards per completion, 5.1% sack rate
- Mac Jones stats 2022-’23: 65% completion rate, 82.9 QB rating, 211.2 pass ypg, 3.2 TD% – 2.7 INT %, 6.5 yards per attempt, 10 yards per completion, 6.3% sack rate
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Midway through the 2023 season, it’s become apparent that Jones isn’t the guy. While he entered the year with an opportunity to prove to New England that his fully guaranteed fifth-year option for the 2025 season should be exercised, that’s no longer expected to happen. Instead, Jones is now drawing heat from inside the organization for some of the Patriots’ issues.
Appearing on NBC Sports Boston, NFL insider Albert Breer shared why the Patriots’ decision-makers have become infuriated with Jones’ decision-making this year.
“One thing that’s really infuriated people there, people in the building is the decision-making. They’ve been sold this smart, efficient, game-managing quarterback and they’re not getting it. The decision-making hasn’t been good. They see him passing up open receivers. They see things that, quite frankly, that you wouldn’t see from a quarterback who has those sorts of qualities.”
Albert Breer on New England Patriots’ frustrations with Mac Jones
New England replaced play-caller Matt Patricia with Bill O’Brien this offseason. O’Brien, a veteran play-caller and quarterbacks coach, seemed like the perfect assistant for Jones. Not only did he know the Alabama Crimson Tide offense that Jones thrived in, but the two had some previous rapport and O’Brien had a good working relationship with Bill Belichick.
- Mac Jones contract: $4.25 million cap hit in 2023, $4.959 million cap hit in 2024, 2025 fifth-year team option (fully guaranteed)
Instead, the Patriots offense has looked nearly as bad as it did under a play-caller with no experience on the offensive wide. While some around the league have attributed that to the poor supporting cast constructed around Jones, the Patriots’ organization seems to believe Jones’s decision-making is a problem.
Ultimately, all parties involved will likely face some consequences at the conclusion of this season. Belichick is believed to be on the hot seat, O’Brien could leave for a better opportunity and Belichick is already on the NFL coaching hot seat. As for the Patriots’ long-term quarterback plans, they’ll again have to turn to the NFL Draft.