'Wiring is Off': New England Patriots 'Infuriated' by QB Mac Jones?
The New England Patriots entered this season with hopes of seeing a bounce-back campaign from third-year quarterback Mac Jones. Instead, they're reportedly left scratching their head.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, the 2-7 Patriots have been underwhelmed with Jones' decisions, both before and after the snap.
"One thing that’s really infuriated people in the building is the decision-making," Breer said Wednesday on NBC Sports Boston. "They’ve been sold this smart, efficient, game-managing quarterback and they’re not getting it."
Breer explained that New England's coaching staff has grown frustrated by Jones ignoring open receivers, audibling into screen plays that have been blown up by the defense, and checking out of passing plays where he had an open target and instead opting for running plays with minimal gains.
After finishing runner up for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and earning Pro Bowl honors in his first season, Jones inspired confidence he could be the Patriots' long-term answer. But a difficult second year has been followed by a similarly regressing third campaign. Jones has completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 1,861 yards, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is tied for the league lead in interceptions with nine.
USA Today Sports
New England is in the midst of its worst season since 2000 and has the worst record in the AFC heading into Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts in Germany.
Jones was benched in back-to-back blowout losses earlier this year, and while he's had encouraging performances such as a 272-yard showing in an upset win over the Buffalo Bills, his overall level of play hasn't progressed to the level the Patriots would've hoped.
"It’s not just about the physical limitations now, it’s also that it doesn’t feel like he’s really taking the coaching," Breer said. "That creates a much bigger problem. Because if this is who Mac Jones is, and we’ve seen some of the defiance bubble over in the press conferences, if he’s not running the offense as prescribed, then what do you have?
"Because it’s not like he can put the cape on and be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, so if you don’t have that one part of it, then what do you have?"
Breer mentioned he thinks self-doubt is creeping in, leading to a more conservative play style that's led to an overarching takeaway: Jones' wiring is off, which Breer said multiple times.
"Beyond everything else, the wiring is off," Breer said. "When you check to a certain play because you see something and the play works and the receiver is open, and all you have to do is pull the trigger and make the throw and you’re tucking the ball and running around the corner for three yards, something is not right."
Can the Patriots fix Jones? Perhaps more importantly, can Jones be fixed?
