Short But Sweet: Patriots Bill Belichick (Finally) Endorses QB Mac Jones With One Word
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FOXBORO — New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is often said to be predictably unpredictable — especially during the NFL Draft.
However, it was his relationship with Pats starting quarterback Mac Jones which took center stage during his first —and likely only — media availability of Draft weekend.
While fielding questions surrounding the Patriots decision to select three defenders with their first three picks in 2023, the 71-year-old head coach was asked Friday night about the validity of claims that a rift between the two had led him to engage multiple teams in shopping Jones via trade — rumors that were seemingly debunked just one day prior.
“I'm not going to respond to anonymous quotes,” Belichick tersely responded. Shortly thereafter, he offered a more substantial answer when asked if Jones was, indeed, the Patriots' starting quarterback.
Said Belichick, “Yeah ... Mac's been our quarterback for two years. As I tell the team every year, each player, each coach, we all have to reestablish and prove ourselves every year. That’s what this league is … 2023 is 2023."
The rumors regarding Jones’ standing within the Patriots locker room … or perhaps more specifically, the coaches room has been quite the hot topic, as of late. Despite a previous endorsement from team owner Robert Kraft, Belichick had been reluctant to provide Jones with a vote of confidence as his choice to begin the 2023 season as the Patriots starting quarterback. In fact, Belichick’s vexation with Jones emerged as the primary reason for the latter’s services allegedly being shopped throughout the NFL.
While his comments are far from a ringing endorsement of Jones, they are the first to offer some degree of optimism in nearly a calendar year. Belichick had been highly complimentary of his third-year starter in the weeks leading up to the beginning of training camp last summer.
When asked if he still felt the same way about his quarterback heading into 2023, Belichick replied:
“Absolutely.”
In addition to his relationship with Jones, Belichick was also asked about the team’s investing their most valuable draft capital in their defense, as opposed to offense. Given their well-documented scoring woes in 2022, a large section of fans and media have questioned whether the Pats are doing enough to provide new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien with sufficient players to improve their standing in 2023.
Still, the ‘HC of the NEP’ is taking the proper steps to ensure his team is prepared for the task at hand with a sense of urgency, yet no panic.
“It just worked out that way … there are a lot of different ways to build a team,” Belichick said. “This is one part of it. Free agency was part of it. Didn’t sign a lot of defensive players in free agency; most of the signings were on offense.”
As they prepare for the third and final day of the 2023 Draft on Saturday, it is a safe bet that Belichick and the Patriots brain trust will be acting in accordance of what they believe to be best for the team.
After all, should they falter in their efforts, the legion of armchair general managers will not be denied their chance to express their displeasure.
No one knows that better than Bill Belichick.
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