Ty Law comments on Mac Jones “showing up” Patriots coaches

As the week continues and more reactions filter in regarding Mac Jones’ display of frustration on the field Monday night, a Patriots legend has thrown his hat into the ring, but not to criticize the young quarterback.

Much of the coverage of Jones’ behavior over the last few weeks have been filled with criticism, with the latest alluding to his actions being deemed unprofessional. Although Jones has never been accused of such during his college or NFL career, some in the media have expressed that his outbursts appear deliberately done to be seen on camera. They claim his actions were inappropriate and a display of “showing up” his coaches, particularly Matt Patricia, and a lot of emphases has been placed on Jones being just a second-year quarterback, thus meaning he is not allowed to act this way so early in his career.

Amidst the drama circulating the New England area when discussing the Patriots, a former player spoke up this week to defend the young quarterback. During an appearance on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” on Tuesday, Ty Law brushed off those accusations and assumptions some have made and shared his support for what he’s seen from Jones over the last few games.

"“Hell no. I love it. That’s what a leader is supposed to do. He’s supposed to step up. I think he’s doing the right thing. No one says anything when Tom Brady’s breaking tablets. (Has) he earned the right because he’s Tom Brady? Yes, but as a quarterback you have to step up and show the team that you want it. Tell the offensive coordinator that I don’t like this call. There have been plenty of times, (co-host Jermaine Wiggins), on our end that if we didn’t like a call we’d let (Bill) Belichick know, we’d let (former defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel) know, ‘We don’t like this call!’As a quarterback and what they’re facing right now, they don’t have a true offensive coordinator, what is a man supposed to do? You’ve got to show that team that, ‘Look I’m the leader. Follow me. Step up.’ “"

Considering Law played with an incredibly passionate and vocal quarterback in Tom Brady, seeing Jones have similar emotions during a game is nothing he hasn’t seen. Not to mention, Brady was also a young quarterback thrust into a pressure-filled situation very early on in his career, forcing him to establish a leadership role quickly to be respected and taken seriously by his teammates.

Law mentioned just that when he continued his thoughts on Jones and emphasized what the quarterback has done is consistent with how players of any sport conduct themselves.

"“I don’t think that’s showing up the coach. I think that’s being in the heat of the game. If you get into it with a coach, whether it’s your teammate, we’ve all been there. Do you know how many times that myself, Tedy Bruschi, we’re waving it off? ‘We don’t like that.’ Tedy would just call it (differently) and we’d have to deal with it when we’d come on the sideline. He changed the damn defense (because) he didn’t like the call.I think as a quarterback, you can’t make a bad habit out of just being insubordinate, but at some times, you have to step up.”"

It’s no secret the Patriots have had a difficult season, with no easing up in sight. As they continue to make a post-season push to end the year, the fire Jones brings to the team is needed in the locker room and on the field. If it were to become an issue internally, whether from his teammates or coaches, it indeed would be dealt with in-house. But at this moment, there is no indication of friction amongst the team, which all but ends any speculation of such and also dims the criticism from those on the outside.