"On his way out the door" - Mike Florio suggests Mac Jones and Patriots will part ways in the coming months
The New England Patriots selected quarterback Mac Jones as their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft and had hopes that he would become their franchise quarterback.
Patriots draft Mac Jones at 15. First time Belichick has ever used a first-round pick on a QB
After a down-season from his rookie season last year, the Patriots have made a big decision deciding whether or not they want Jones as their leader for the foreseeable future.
ProFootballTalk analyst Mike Florio thinks that the Patriots and Jones will part ways in the coming months.
Via ProFootballTalk live, Florio said:
"The other thing that was significant from what Belichick said yesterday, he was asked about Mac Jones being the starting quarterback for 2023. He didn't say yes. And you know anytime there's any equivocation with the starting quarterback that doing the Patriots, I think what would Bill have said if he'd been asked the same question about Tom Brady in his prime. And that's what you compare it to. He would have rolled his eyes and said next question."
Florio continued:
"For him to not make it clear that Mac is their guy tells me they're thinking about what to do next. And there's been tension there all year. There have been issues behind the scenes, all year. Mac has been pissed about the change from Josh McDaniels to a couple of guys who weren't offensive coaches. And then you throw in the Bailey Zappe thing, and he was pissed. And then at the end of the year, what did we see? Temper tantrums every week."
Florio added that he thinks the dirty block that Jones made on Eli Apple could be a reason for Belichick to move on from him.
He added:
"And I don't care what Bill Belichick says or doesn't say about the dirty play against Eli Apple. That was a dirty ass play by Mac Jones. And somebody in that organization may have seen that and been turned off to Mac Jones as a member of that team going forward. They're not going to come out and say it. There's no reason to trash the guy on his way out the door. But it sure seems like he's going to be on his way out the door."
Bill Belichick announced he will be back next season with the New England Patriots
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has announced that he will be back for another season as head coach.
Bill Belichick says he'll be back for another season @brgridiron https://t.co/CVjREyVc4m
Belichick has been the head coach of the Pats since 2000 and the 71-year-old will try to get the team back to the playoffs next season in his 22nd season as head coach.
Through 21 seasons, the Pats are 244–92–0 with six Super Bowl victories. Belichick may go in a different direction at the quarterback position in 2023.
Jones went 6-8 as the starter, throwing for 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 2,997 yards. He went from a quarterback rating of 92.5 in his rookie season to 84.8 this past season.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk, and H/T Sportskeeda