Matt Patricia compares Mac Jones to Patriots greats
Despite the criticism over the last several weeks regarding Mac Jones’ display of frustration during games, Patriots offensive coordinator Matt Patricia shared he’s far from condemning the quarterback for expressing his emotions.
The Patriots’ season has been unique. The long list of changes they’ve dealt with continues adding up as the weeks go on. From coaching staff departures and hiring’s to problematic play-calling to players not remaining silent in sharing their feelings with the media, it has not been a typical year for the New England team.
Because of all their challenges this year, emotions have begun to show themselves during games, particularly with Jones. Although it’s not strange to see a competitor react with any intensity during a game, Jones has been heavily criticized for what some refer to as “outbursts” over the past month.
But how do the coaches feel about the quarterback’s passion?
Considering the consensus believes his annoyance stems from a disconnect with Patricia, it has been assumed that the play-caller must be taking issue with Jones’ behavior. But when speaking to the media on Tuesday, Patricia shared he feels quite the opposite.
"“This is a super passionate game, right? We love this game. We put a lot into it. We’re working hard. We care. We’re trying to win, so I love all that. All of it is – you just care. You really care. Mac and I – I know he wants to win and he’s doing everything he can just like we all are. So that stuff’s great.”"
Some may hear what the coach is saying and take it with a grain of salt, especially knowing how the Patriots tend to operate with keeping true feelings behind closed doors. But Patricia’s response to Jones’s intensity didn’t stop there.
Throughout his nearly twenty-year career in the NFL, the former defensive coordinator has worked with many big personalities. He has seen his fair share of arguments and drama over the years, most of which would make Jones’ few slips of expletives pale in comparison. Patricia even listed some of those emotional players, comparing Jones’ love for the game to some Patriots greats.
"“I’ve coached some pretty awesome rooms before. I’ve been around some pretty great players throughout the years and those guys had a tremendous passion for the game like Mac. You love to see that stuff. You always just try to make sure that you direct it in a way that it’ll help everyone in those moments get better… been through some pretty fiery guys now, don’t forget. Tedy Bruschi, Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest – there have been some great players. Mac is one of those guys who just loves the game, so I love that.”"
If the coach who works with him the most doesn’t have an issue with what he’s doing, and his teammates continue to support him as well, then there doesn’t appear to be an issue here worth discussing.
As the team prepares for the toughest stretch of their schedule to end the season while also pushing to make the playoffs, it may be the right time for Jones to fire himself and his teammates up with his passion. Players are exhausted and injured at this point in the season and need the team to rally around each other to keep going. Jones can be that guy for the Patriots going forward.