Belichick Wanted Another Quarterback Over Mac Jones in Patriots' 2021 NFL Draft?
After three years, it's abundantly clear that the pairing of New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and now-former coach Bill Belichick did not work out as planned.
Apparently, though, this pairing may have been destined to fail from the beginning.
According to a new report by The Athletic, Patriots scouts grew frustrated with Belichick ignoring their input. But after Nick Caserio left to become the Houston Texans' general manager in 2021, Belichick vowed to take a more collaborative approach to the draft.
Reportedly, while Belichick liked Jones as a prospect, he would have preferred to wait and instead take Davis Mills to address their quarterback need. Ultimately, though, the veteran coach decided to listen to his scouts' advice and take Jones at No. 15 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Bill Belichick, Mac Jones
Cred: New York Post Images
"But Jones was the Patriots’ highest-rated player, and they desperately needed a quarterback after going 7-9 with Cam Newton in their first season without Tom Brady," The Athletic wrote. "Belichick appeared content to wait for Mills, who fell to Caserio’s Texans in the third round, but relinquished to the staff’s strong push for Jones, according to league sources. After previously vowing to be more collaborative, Belichick recognized he couldn’t go back on his word with his first selection under the new approach.
"Before calling Jones, Belichick repeatedly asked his staff members if they were fully on board with the selection. He received no pushback."
Belichick could've easily overruled his scouts if he wanted nothing to do with Jones, so him being willing to make that pick at all is a sign of confidence. Three years later, though, that confidence is all but gone.
The former Alabama quarterback had a solid debut season and finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, but it's been downhill since then. This season was especially bad, as Jones was benched four times in 11 starts and ultimately lost his starting job to Bailey Zappe.
One could easily argue that Belichick didn't set Jones up to succeed, between three offensive coordinators in as many years, bad offensive line play and a lack of weapons around him. At the very least, Mills didn't turn into a stud in Houston either, as he's now the backup to rookie sensation C.J. Stroud.
No matter who's at fault, though, the Patriots are entering a new era with Jerod Mayo at the helm, and that will most likely include a new quarterback as well.
