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Bombshell report indicates Patriots’ Mac Jones on the way out?

By Lou Scataglia

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarteragainst the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 01: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarteragainst the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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Bombshell reporting from Albert Breer could indicate that New England Patriots’ QB Mac Jones may be on shaky ground with the organization.  This reporting could really spell some bad news for Mac Jones and perhaps the entire direction of the franchise.

In 2021, during his rookie season, Jones looked like he was going to be a franchise quarterback for the organization, just in the team’s second year removed from Tom Brady leaving.  Jones played well and helped lead the team to a 10 win season and a playoff berth.

Then, things went south.  Matt Patricia took over the play-calling in 2022 after Josh McDaniels bolted to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jones was not himself in 2022, and further information indicates that Jones may have an enemy or two within the organization.

According to Albert Breer on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak and Bertrand,”

"“I don’t think Bill appreciated the way that Mac handled some of the stuff last year,” Breer said. “There’s a way that I think Bill thinks a franchise quarterback should conduct himself. And for the most part, (Tom) Brady did conduct himself that way. I think there were certain things in the way that Mac handled his second year as a pro that Bill didn’t appreciate."

Furthermore, Breer indicated that the way Jones worse his emotions on his sleeve in 2022 in expressing his displeasure with the offense perhaps rubbed Bill Belichick the wrong way.  To add even more drama to this, Mac Jones’ behavior could have done enough damage to allow the Patriots to listen to trade offers from the Raiders in a potential deal for Jones.

It gets even worse for Mac Jones.

"“I think they would,” Breer said. “Internally, I don’t know if they see this massive gap between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. I’m not saying they think Bailey’s as good as Mac, but there was some element of Bailey doing what he was coached to do last year that I think gave Bailey the edge to some degree for a little while there."

Many did see Bailey Zappe as the better quarterback in the moment at times during the season.  He was efficient and won both of his starts.  The offense did look more in sync with Zappe on the field instead of Jones.

And while this entire situation perhaps ending with Mac Jones being dealt does sound unlikely, remember that the Raiders now have a QB opening after releasing Derek Carr.  I do think this is a fluid situation for the Patriots and could end with them looking elsewhere for their future quarterback.

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