Patriots
Jones dedicated three turnovers within the Patriots’ blowout loss to the Cowboys final week.
Mac Jones has been underneath scrutiny all week following his brutal efficiency within the Patriots’ Week 4 loss to the Cowboys.
The Patriots quarterback threw for 150 yards with two interceptions and a misplaced fumble, with two of these turnovers leading to defensive scores for the Cowboys in a 38-3 blowout. Within the days following the loss, Jones has been criticized by media members and Patriots icons alike, pointing to him because the particular person most accountable for his or her 1-3 begin to the season.
Jones continues to be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback although, with Invoice Belichick indicating all through the week that was the case. However the strain on him to achieve Week 5 towards the Saints will definitely be dialed up a notch.
Belichick indicated an indication of confidence in Jones’ potential to bounce again when requested what he’s seen from him prior to now following not-so-good performances.
“Anyone who performs or coaches on this league has not-so-good performances someplace alongside the road,” Belichick instructed reporters on Friday. “So, a part of the job, a part of the scenario, each week’s a brand new week. Mac’s fairly mentally powerful. So is all people else round right here. I imply, you need to be on this league.
Along with Jones receiving blame for the Patriots’ 1-3 begin, a lot of the dialogue surrounding New England this week questioned if Jones ought to be the beginning quarterback for the group shifting ahead.
Whereas Belichick has implied that Jones would be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback, he signaled that he or anybody else who continues to wrestle will seemingly lose their jobs.
“If it simply goes from dangerous to worse, then you definitely’re not going to be round very lengthy,” Belichick stated. “All of us get knocked down, acquired to rise up and return within the ring.”
The 2023 season was broadly considered as an important one for Jones and his long-term future with the Patriots. Following a strong rookie season, Jones struggled in Yr 2, throwing for two,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 video games because the Patriots went 8-9.
Jones appeared to have some vivid spots within the first three video games of the season. Though the Patriots have been 1-2 in that stretch, Jones ranked within the prime 10 in passing yards and touchdowns coming into Week 4 as he helped New England stay shut in losses to a pair of contenders.
However after the loss to Dallas, Jones’ effectivity stats have cratered. His completion proportion (63.7), yards per try (6.2), and passer score (80.8) are all at present at profession lows.
If Jones continues to place a career-low tempo in a number of areas, he might get benched. The Patriots at present have two backups on the roster, Bailey Zappe and Will Grier. Whereas Belichick known as Grier “sharp” and “athletic” with a “good arm,” he shared that Zappe continues to be the first backup as Grier simply signed with the group two weeks in the past.
“I feel we simply take it week by week right here, and I feel earlier than you may actually, realistically, get in there and play, you’ve acquired to have a fairly good command and understanding of the offense, play calling, be capable of let the opposite 10 folks do their jobs,” Belichick stated when requested if Grier is competing with Zappe. “However, once more, Will’s sharp and he’s selecting issues up fairly rapidly. I imply, if we had an emergency and we needed to put him in there, I feel, yeah, we might attempt to get him prepared.
“However, I imply, the opposite two guys are simply additional alongside at this level.”
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