"Barely did that for Tom Brady" - Mac Jones gets Bill Belichick warning from former Patriots star
The New England Patriots and quarterback Mac Jones seem to have a rocky relationship. While he shone as a rookie in 2021, the same cannot be said about last season, he went 6-8 and had a worse passing rate and completion percentage, while throwing for fewer yards and touchdowns.
Appearing on Good Morning Football, former Patriots safety Jason McCourty spoke about how the Patriots view Jones this off-season, with the team giving him little praise and hope for the future.
McCourty said:
"Bill's not coming out to say, oh, Mac, we love you. You're a starter and you're looking for that type of coddling and love and support. It is not coming from the Patriots organization. Robert Kraft came out. He said he liked Mac Jones. He talked about his work ethic and being in the building every day, talking about Bill O'Brien being there. And that's given a great opportunity for Mac to take another step."
McCourty added that Jones has to play well this season after not playing well last year, and said that regardless of how he plays, Belichick isn't the one to praise him because he barely did that with Tom Brady.
He added:
"That's all the love and support you're going to get from this organization. The truth is, Mac Jones didn't play well last year. There are a lot of variables and things that took place that led to that. But he's going to have to show up. He's going to have to play well. And that is all Bill is going to say. He's not going to keep up praises and say all these things. He barely did that for Tom Brady. I don't expect him to do that for a young man."
2-Point Conversing
Should Patriots brass be publicly supporting Mac Jones?
"He barely did that for Tom Brady..."
@JasonMcCourty https://t.co/RxzliPauvN
On top of his less productive season, Jones made Belichick agitated at how he would yell and shout during games this past season. He also went behind the team's back, asking Alabama for advice on how he could help salvage the offense.
The New England Patriots locker room is split between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe
On top of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots ownership not showing the most confidence in Jones, the team doesn't seem to have the most confidence in him either.
Via talk-show host Dan Patrick, a player source told him that the locker room has a lot of support for Jones' backup, Bailey Zappe.
@dpshow Video: A player source tells Dan Patrick that the Patriots locker room has a "lot of support" for Bailey Zappe.
https://t.co/C6xy6ax3W0
Zappe appeared in four total games while starting two games, going 2-0 with the Patriots last season. He had a passer rating of 100.9 as he threw for 781 yards, five touchdowns, and just three interceptions.
It's anyone's guess as to who will start more games for the Patriots in 2023, but one can assume Jones will enter the season as the starter.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Jason McCourty, Good Morning Football, and H/T Sportskeeda