The New England Patriots quarterback plans for the 2023 season appeared to be solidified in the spring with Mac Jones as the projected starter and Bailey Zappe as his backup. In recent weeks, the clarity of the position has faded.
Jones, a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season, seemed to be on track to resume being the young face of the franchise. New England hired Bill O’Brien as its offensive coordinator, providing Jones with a quarterback-friendly coach who he had a great relationship with.
Related: Bill Belichick hints Mac Jones may not be the starting QB in 2023
The Patriots also signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, added depth to their offensive line and bowed out of any potential pursuit for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Following months of clear plans for the position, recent reports have now raised questions about Jones’ future in New England.
Related: New England Patriots insider says owner blamed Bill Belichick, not Mac Jones
Belichick reportedly entertained trade offers for Jones this offseason, even reaching out to the Las Vegas Raiders. Just a few years after drafting Jones with the 15th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, New England seemed ready to move on from the 24-year-old quarterback. Now, we might know why.
According to Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston, Belichick was ‘agitated’ by Jones going outside the building for counsel on the Patriots’ offense.
“What’s leftover from Bill being agitated at Mac for, more than anything else. You know the yelling during the games was irritating enough. Chris Simms alluded to this, but I heard it reaffirmed today. Going outside the building for counsel as to ‘Is this the way we’re supposed to be doing this?’ That really pissed Bill off.”
Tom E. Curran on the relationship between New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and QB Mac Jones
Curran also suggested that Brian Hoyer, who just reunited with coach Josh McDaniels by signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, was released because he was against the Patriots’ system last year.
There were multiple incidents caught on television cameras during the 2022 season that showed Jones blowing up on Belichick’s assistants. Both former play-caller Matt Patricia and quarterbacks coach Joe Judge drew Jones’ ire last fall.
While that bothered Belichick, the future Hall of Fame coach reportedly took far greater issue with Jones going outside the organization for help. In a season where many questioned the Patriots’ play-calling and there were even concerns inside the building during the summer, Jones drew Belichick’s ire for seeking outside assistance.
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While Belichick seemingly still has an issue with what Jones did, the young quarterback’s motivations for doing so seemed to be backed by the organization. Patriots owner Robert Kraft demanded an overhaul of the coaching staff this spring, leading to Patricia leaving the team and O’Brien taking over as play-caller and quarterbacks coach.
Once viewed as the perfect successor to Tom Brady, Jones now faces an uncertain future with the Patriots. Depending on how successful New England’s 2023 season is in the eyes of Kraft, either the coach or quarterback could be gone in 2024.