There’s no doubt it was a long flight back from Frankfurt, Germany for the New England Patriots following their abysmal 10-6 loss at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. The game left the team with much to contemplate, especially as they head into their bye week. A pressing question is the starter at quarterback: Who will it be moving forward? After witnessing Mac Jones’ third benching this year, following a critical interception at the goal line where he under-threw to an open Mike Gesicki in the endzone, envisioning his return against the Giants seems unlikely.
Rob Gronkowski Critiques New England’s Treatment of Mac Jones: ‘He’s Not Respected’
At a Crossroads: The Patriots’ Uncertain Quarterback Future
Mac Jones acknowledged his underperformance in the post-game press conference, admitting the need to improve to regain his coach’s confidence. His third benching has led to a divide among Patriots fans, with some calling for a permanent change at quarterback. Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported that the Patriots locker room is “80-20 out on Mac Jones.” Losing the faith of both the coaching staff and the locker room at the same time, the fans could get their wish for change. Yet, the dilemma remains: the team lacks a clear alternative who inspires greater confidence than Jones. If he’s not going to start at quarterback, then who is?
Whether Mac Jones loses the starting job or not, he’s already lost 1 thing: the locker room.
One team source said the locker room is 80-20 out on Mac. Another said the vast majority of players are done with him.
Plus, 6 more Patriots nuggets at the bye: https://t.co/M3OBzncjIg pic.twitter.com/uJLY23ppMH
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) November 15, 2023
Bailey Zappe stepped in for Mac Jones following the benching, consistent with earlier instances this season. His performance, however, didn’t notably surpass that of Jones. It’s critical to consider the differing circumstances each quarterback faced. Zappe entered a challenging situation: 1:52 on the clock, no timeouts, and an 86-yard drive needed for a win. What made matters worse was the call for a fake spike after a fourth-and-one run. While Zappe’s decision to throw into triple coverage can be scrutinized, the fact that he was put in such a horrible position can’t be ignored.
Bill Belichick remained non-committal on his starting quarterback choice for the upcoming game against the New York Giants post-bye week. Beyond Jones and Zappe, the options include Will Grier and Malik Cunningham, though their potential impact remains uncertain. Some of that uncertainty is why some want to see one of those two get a chance. The team seems to know what they have in Jones and Zappe, why not find out what you have in one of the other two? While the team’s record is a concern, the argument can be made that the Patriots might benefit from losing more games. While it doesn’t seem like something Belichick would ever be willing to do, he’s also never been the head coach and general manager of a team that’s 2-8 either.
Gronkowski’s Defense of Mac Jones
NFL legend and former Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski, defended Mac Jones on ‘Up & Adams With Kay Adams,’ stating, “He’s not respected in New England. Coach Belichick has played all these games with him.” Contrastingly, the view among many New England fans and analysts attributes Jones’ lack of respect to his on-field performance. Despite a promising rookie season, Jones’ performance dip in every season since hasn’t gone unnoticed. This decline has gradually eroded faith and trust, prompting valid discussions about his future with the team.
Gronkowski and a segment of Patriots fans seem to agree on one thing: Mac Jones’ tenure in New England has reached its end. Gronkowski said to Adams, “I just don’t see it fitting anymore. It doesn’t look good. I don’t see it healing at all either.” That seems to be an overarching consensus after the recent performances that Jones has put on the field. His statistics – 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, averaging a career-low 6.3 yards per attempt – are telling.
Yet, these numbers don’t capture the full picture. Jones has contended with one of the league’s weakest receiving corps, compounded by injuries, underdeveloped talent, and declining performances from acquired players. This situation has resulted in subpar wide receiver play, further complicating Jones’ role as quarterback. Gronkowski highlighted this saying, “I don’t think he really has that many weapons around him either… and they’re dropping easy balls.”
“He’s not respected in New England..”
Gronk makes the case for Mac Jones to ask for his release and go to CLEVELAND. pic.twitter.com/ANnyoJM37Q
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) November 15, 2023
Exploring a New Home: Gronkowski Urges Jones to Request Release
Gronkowski even went so far as to advise Jones to request his release from the Patriots so that he can sign with a quarterback-needy team to finish the year, such as the Cleveland Browns. “[Mac Jones] should just go ask for his release. And then, if it’s granted, he should go sign with the Cleveland Browns.” This got a yell of surprise from host Kay Adams, who after a second, seemed to realize that the idea didn’t sound too far-fetched.
This proposition sparked interesting conversations regarding the Browns, who just lost quarterback Deshawn Watson for the rest of the season with their playoff hopes still very much alive. Cleveland possesses essential elements for Jones’ success. Their elite defense reduces the need for high-scoring games. The team’s solid offensive lineup, including capable receivers and a robust running game, remains strong despite Nick Chubb’s absence. Furthermore, their top-tier offensive line is a significant advantage, especially for a quarterback with limited mobility like Jones. However, securing the starting position in Cleveland wouldn’t be straightforward. Jones would have to compete with P.J. Walker, who has been effective in games, and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who impressed in the preseason.
As the Patriots navigate this turbulent season, the quarterback conundrum looms large. The team’s struggles, especially at that position, have stirred a whirlwind of speculation and debate. While some advocate for exploring the untapped potential of Will Grier or Malik Cunningham, others are trying to hold onto what Mac Jones was when he first entered the league. The path forward for New England is very uncertain, but one thing is clear: the decisions made in the coming weeks will be pivotal. Not just for this season, but for the future trajectory of the storied Patriots franchise. As they approach the remainder of the season, the choices at quarterback will not only reflect immediate change but maybe give a glimpse of how the future could look post-Mac Jones.
Main Photo Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
