Bill Belichick still won’t commit to Mac Jones as Patriots QB
As the annual NFL owner’s meeting takes place in Phoenix this week, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft spoke to the media on Monday, each making headlines and speculation from their brief comments about the team.
Of course, the biggest takeaways from their answers to reporters surrounded the quarterback position, mainly Mac Jones and the potential trade for Lamar Jackson. Although Belichick wouldn’t add fuel to the rumors regarding the current Ravens quarterback, he did state some noteworthy comments about Jones’ future as the QB1 in New England.
Belichick is no stranger to creating controversy with his responses to the media over the years, and most recently, it’s come in the form of noncommitment to Jones as the starting quarterback.
The last time the head coach spoke about the state of the Patriots was at the end of the regular season in January, where he gave a not-so-gleaming review of Jones’ status moving forward.
"“Mac has the ability to play quarterback in this league. And we have to all work together to try to find the best way as a football team — which, obviously, quarterback’s an important position — to be more productive than we were this year. And so, that’s incumbent on all of this. We’ll all work together on that. And, again, look for better results.”"
Since the offseason began, it was evident the Patriots were moving in the right direction after struggling through another tough year.
Matt Patricia and Joe Judge were seemingly removed from their 2022 positions and replaced by Bill O’Brien and Adrian Klemm. Having an experienced and familiar offensive play-caller working with Jones and a well-respected offensive line coach making the protection of the quarterback better were two of the most critical moves that needed to be done at the end of last season.
The fact that Belichick chose to deal with those personnel decisions first and foremost proves he was well aware of the glaring issues that likely impeded Jones‘ production and growth, thus giving the quarterback a better (and proper) chance coming into his third year in the NFL.
Then came free agency. Although we’re yet to see Belichick make a blockbuster move to acquire any player, particularly a wide receiver, the new players they have brought in and their own free agents they have re-signed provide a promising outlook for the 2023 season.
It appears the team is being built around Jones in hopes of putting him and the team in a better position to be successful for years to come. However, Belichick continued with his non-commitment of the quarterback in Phoenix this week, adding more drama to what seemed like a squared-away issue.
When asked about a potential competition for the position between Jones and Zappe this summer, Belichick suggested it would likely take place.
"“Yeah, well everybody will get a chance to play. We’ll play our best players. Everybody will get a chance to play. Every position. Everybody will get a chance to play. Everybody that’s on our roster, if they earn the opportunity to play based on what they do in practice and all of that, then they will get an opportunity to play. Certainly veteran players that have been on the team before, if they’re still on the team, they’ll all get an opportunity to play.”"
This may mean nothing, as Belichick isn’t exactly known for being super candid when speaking to the media, but it’s also possible it means everything. This summer will certainly be another interesting one for Patriots fans to watch unfold.