Will Mac Jones get replaced in 2023? NFL analyst expects Bill Belichick to use first round wisely
Mac Jones is arguably one of the quarterbacks facing the greatest pressure to succeed this upcoming season as his job could be on the line. There have been murmurs that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick could draft a quarterback in this month's NFL Draft.
According to NFL analyst Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, Belichick will go in a different direction in the draft. Trapasso has the Patriots trading down in the first round from the 14th overall pick to the 19th overall.
New England will go with talented linebacker Trenton Simpson of Clemson as their top pick. The NFL analyst explained why Simpson will go to the Patriots at No. 19.
"After the trade back, New England grabs Simpson. Belichick envisions him as another in-space weapon next to Kyle Dugger."
The New England Patriots drafted Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 draft. He started all 17 games in his rookie season as he threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. It was the fifth-most yards for a rookie quarterback in a season in NFL history.
However, last season didn't go the way the former Alabama Crimson Tide star wanted to. Jones started 14 games, throwing for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Many fans were calling for backup quarterback Bailey Zappe at certain points in the 2022 season.
A new addition to the New England coaching staff this offseason might turn around the Patriots quarterback in 2023.
Mac Jones gets a familiar face entering the 2023 season
The Patriots hired former Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien this offseason. Although Jones and O'Brien were never at Tuscaloosa at the same time, their paths intersected when the quarterback was embarking upon the NFL Draft process.
Mac Jones told MassLive how working with O'Brien will feel somewhat familiar, moving forward in helping the Patriots offense.
"It’ll be nice to start a new working relationship with someone that you already have had the opportunity to work with."
We'll see if the 24-year-old can turn his career around under O'Brien's guidance this upcoming season.
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