Patriots' legend Rob Gronkowski makes bold statement about Mac Jones
Former Patriots' TE Rob Gronkowski was on the Up and Adams show with Kay Adams and had quite a bit to say about current starting QB Mac Jones. The nice thing about former players speaking their mind is that they tend to speak very boldly and bluntly about the team, and often times, they aren't wrong.
When someone like Rob Gronkowski speaks, New England Patriots fans listen to what he has to say. Well, on a recent appearance on the Up and Adams show, Gronk made quite the statement about QB Mac Jones:
"“He’s not respected in New England,” Gronkowski told Kay Adams on the Up and Adams Show on Wednesday. “Coach Belichick has played all these games with him. Bailey Zappe isn’t even close to being on Mac Jones’s level. You should never ever sit Mac Jones … he’s not respected there.
- Rob Gronkowski
“I think Mac Jones should just go ask for his release. And then if it’s granted, he should go sign with the Cleveland Browns and restart his career … imagine that, Kay? How incredible would that be?”"
Gronk things the Mac Jones tenure in New England should end, but he seems to think that because of the way he's been treated by the organization. In my opinion, the Mac Jones tenure should end because Jones simply isn't a good QB and the experiment should just stop at this point. Gronk still seems to believe in Jones, and went as far as to say that he needs to ask for his release.
Now, would Bill Belichick grant a hypothetical release? Well, BB has released notable players in-season before. Financially, a post-June 1st cut of Mac Jones would be not smart, but that's because he's still on his rookie deal. Depending on where you look, you'll see people still advocating for Jones and his abilities. Gronk seems to fall into that category.
The Patriots haven't really done him any favors since the conclusion of the 2021 season, but at some point, the excuses for Jones need to stop and a harsh look in the mirror is needed. I do think it's pretty certain that Mac Jones won't be in New England next year unless Bill Belichick is no longer with the team.
I do think there's scenario where a new coaching staff comes in and wants to hold onto Jones for whatever reason, but Belichick still being with the team in some capacity makes that unlikely.