Mac Jones hasn’t progressed into the franchise quarterback the New England Patriots anticipated.
The first-round pick has taken another step back in his third season, posting career lows in completion rate (64.8), yards per attempt (6.1), and quarterback rating (80.2). Jones has also thrown nine interceptions and lost two fumbles in nine games.
According to Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer, people within the Patriots organization are frustrated with those miscues that run counter to their expectations.
“One thing that’s really infuriated people there — people in the building — is the decision-making,” Breer told NBC Sports Boston, via NESN. “They’d been sold the smart, efficient, game-managing quarterback, and they’re not getting it. The decision-making hasn’t been good. They see him passing up open receivers. They see things, quite frankly, that you wouldn’t see from a quarterback who has those sorts of qualities.”
Mac Jones’ decision-making “infuriating” people in Foxboro 🗣️@AlbertBreer cites play from 3rd quarter vs. Commanders that “baffled” coaches pic.twitter.com/7crPR2z3e9
— NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) November 8, 2023
Given his physical limitations, Breer doesn’t think Jones can afford to play outside the system and make mental mistakes.
“It’s also that it doesn’t feel like he’s really taken the coaching, and that creates a much bigger problem,” Breer continued. “Because if this is who Mac Jones is — and we’ve seen some of the defiance bubble over in the press conferences — if he’s not running the offense as it’s prescribed, well then what do you have? Because it’s not like he can put the cape on and be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen. If you don’t have that one part of it, then what do you have?”
Breer cited an example of Jones audibling into a designed pass for Mike Gesicki, only to tuck the ball and run for three yards even though the tight end got open downfield. The insider claimed coaches were “baffled” by the quarterback’s choice.
When asked for the source of these struggles, Breer speculated that Jones is doubting himself and said the “wiring is off” in the offense.
The Patriots dropped to an AFC-worst 2-7 following Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders. Jones hasn’t reached 275 passing yards in a game since Week 1 and has thrown one or zero touchdowns in six of those eight games.
With Jones showing a clear ceiling in the pocket, he can’t afford to turn the ball over and miss easy opportunities. He’ll get another chance to turn the corner when facing the Indianapolis Colts in Germany this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.