New England Patriots Mac Jones Gets Advice from Dallas Cowboys Stephon Gilmore
FOXBORO — While New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has absorbed more than his share of criticism from fans and media alike, one former Pats defensive standout is still a believer in the team’s third-year starter.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who played with the Patriots from 2017 through 2021 training camp, is well aware of Jones’ struggles this season, including their 31-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. However, the ex-Pats star defensive back believes that the 25-year-old has fought through too many hardships to concede the battle.
“Keep fighting and keep working hard,” Gilmore told WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show on Tuesday when asked for his advice to his much-maligned former teammate.
Though Gilmore only briefly intersected with Jones during his final weeks in a Patriots uniform, his extensive knowledge in reading quarterbacks allowed him to significant potential in the then-Patriots rookie. Though he has continued his football journey elsewhere, he has apparently seen enough in New England’s 2021 first-round pick (no. 15 overall) to warrant his place as a leading man … he just needs an adequate supporting cast.
"I definitely do,” Gilmore confidently said when asked whether Jones was still capable of of being an NFL starter. “He's smart. He works hard. He can throw the ball anywhere. He can get the ball out quick when he can. Yes, I think he's a starting quarterback.”
While Jones’ detractors may attempt to devalue his sentiments as simply a former teammate assisting a beleaguered friend, Gilmore’s words truly hold much greater significance. During his four seasons with the Pats, the 33-year-old left an indelible mark on the franchise. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 after leading the league with six interceptions and 20 passes-defensed. He also earned three of his five Pro Bowl selections, received two first-team All-Pro nods, and was a member of the team that won a Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LIII. This season, he has provided Dallas with a veteran presence — particularly valuable in the absence of star corner Trevon Diggs, who is on season-ending injured reserve, along with 24 total tackles, seven passes-defensed and two interceptions.
In short, Gilmore knows a capable quarterback when he sees one. Accordingly, he believes that Jones can rise above troubles under the right circumstances.
“I think it's a team thing,” Gilmore added. “I think the team just hasn't been able to set him up the right way."
Patriots QB Mac Jones, Cowboys CB Stephon Gilmore
Cred: USA Today Sports Images
Whether deservedly so or not, Jones is bearing much of the fanbase’s blame for the team’s offensive struggles. Despite entering the year on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, the Pats starter has struggled to recapture his first-season success. From a high ankle injury sidelining him for three games last October, to his palpable his discontent with the Pats offensive system under de factor coordinator Matt Patricia, Jones toiled through a campaign in which he ranked in the bottom 10 of NFL quarterbacks in completion percentage and positive plays when pressured.
In contrast, O’Brien’s hiring was expected to bring both Jones and the Pats offense back to the “basics” of football for 2023. In this case, New England would return to a timing-based scheme, predicated on vertical routes and completions from quick, accurate throws. During his time at Alabama, Jones was quite proficient at running this type of offense. It is also where O’Brien, shines as well.
This season, however, the 'shine' has been visible on a sporadic basis, at best. Through eight games, he has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,641 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions. As such, the Patriots currently sit at 2-6 — last place in both their division and the conference. Save for an impressive 29-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills in Week 7, New England has has frequently been on the receiving end of both hard-luck and blowout losses, including a 38-3 loss to Gilmore’s Cowboys in Week 4 — a game in which Jones was responsible for three calamitous turnovers.
In addition to his own difficulties with accuracy, confidence and decision-making, Jones has also had to endure playing behind a porous, injured-riddled offensive line, and inconsistent output from his pass-catchers. To Gilmore’s aforementioned “team thing” reference, a lucid argument can be made that Jones’ AFC counterparts such as Miami’s Tua Tagovaiola and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert have been provided with much stronger receiving corps than he throughout his three-year tenure in Foxboro.
With visions of postseason football beginning to vanish from their vision, New England’s roster-building efforts appear to be on-hold until the offseason. However, Jones must find a way to both improve his performance and lead his team through the remaining nine games on their schedule. While Jones, in conjunction with his teammates and coaches, faces a tough task in doing so, he find some “consigliere-like” advice from his ex-Pats teammate to be especially valuable.
“I talk to Mac a little bit here and there,” Gilmore said. “I just tell him just to keep believing in himself. It’s not going to be easy. Players go through things, go through ups and downs. You’ve got to be able to fight your way out. If you keep fighting and keep working hard, the tables are going to turn. You’ll start winning games, and you’ll start playing great.
“I just told him to keep his head down. Because he already works hard, and I think he’s going to continue doing that.”
