Instead of quietly creating distance from a messy 2022, the New England Patriots are dealing with Mac Jones trade rumors.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported last week that Bill Belichick has “shopped” Jones this offseason. According to Phil Perry of NBC Sports, some players aren’t pleased about this chatter circulating.
“I’ve spoken to players who are not happy that this is in the news, that the Patriots and their potential interest in trading Mac Jones is out there in the public sphere,” Perry said. “They aren’t happy on Mac’s behalf. They aren’t happy, period, on their own behalves. They’re not happy that 2022 is bleeding into 2023.”
Per Patriots insider Tom E. Curran, Jones angered Belichick by seeking coaching assistance outside of New England’s staff during the 2022 season. Perry described “a collective rolling of eyes” from people close to the team not bothered by Jones’ actions.
“What I’ve been told from a variety of different folks — with the team, formerly with the team, understanding of the situation, watching the situation from afar — they will put it very plainly: They don’t believe Mac Jones was being coached last year, so Mac Jones reached out to people for some coaching,” he said.
Although some concerns about Jones’ leadership ability persist, Perry said most people on the team acknowledged the former first-round pick faced a difficult situation last season. Former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia ran the offense, but Belichick brought Bill O’Brien back to New England this offseason.
However, that doesn’t mean everyone wants Jones to return as the starting quarterback. Dan Patrick said last week he believes the locker room is “split” between Jones and Bailey Zappe. Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer claimed Jones “lost support in the building” because of how he handled a rocky 2022 campaign.