Mac to Square One: Future of New England Patriots' Demoted QB?
On Feb. 6, 2022, Mac Jones threw for 112 yards a touchdown to lead his AFC team to a victory in the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas. The inclusion among the NFL's best players was a reward for Jones, who guided his New England Patriots to a 10-7 record and playoff berth as a rookie. He was a rising star. Some tabbed him as the best quarterback in the 2021 class despite being drafted behind Trevor Lawrence, Zach Lance, Trey Lance and Justin Fields. An NFL analyst on FS1 even nicknamed him "Baby Brady."
But come Sunday - culminating a drastic 22-month nosedive - Jones will finish a humiliating week, in which he also ran scout-team plays in practice, by merely holding a clipboard as the New England Patriots' backup quarterback.
The regression has been radical. Last year he erupted in emotional outbursts at coaches and was penalized/fined for cheap-shot hits on opponents. And his performance has tumbled, with year-over-year decreases in yards, completion percentage and touchdowns amplified by an increase in interceptions.
During the Pats' four-game losing streak, he has become a shell of his 2021 self. Without consistent protection from one of the league's worst offensive lines and void of skill-position playmakers, Jones has deteriorated into being skittish in the pocket. He's made bad decisions, and even worse throws.
Yanked from games four times, Jones has finally been permanently benched. Barring injury or an almost impossible lowering of the standard of play by newly promoted starter Bailey Zappe, Jones likely won't take another snap as the Pats' starting quarterback this season. Question is now ... will he ever be QB1 again? Anywhere?
Have we seen the last of Mac Jones as QB1 in New England or ... anywhere else?
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There are already rumors about the Pats enacting a "restructuring" plan that includes dumping Jones and using their likely Top 3 pick in next April's draft on a quarterback such as Caleb Williams, Bo Nix or Drake Maye.
Per his DNA, Bill Belichick - whose job security is likewise flimsy at best - is sidestepping any concrete answers when it comes to his quarterbacks during the 2-9 Patriots worst season in 30 years. Where during training camp in July he lauded Jones' "tremendous strides" and "dramatic improvement," as the calendar flipped to December Friday the coach is now heaping his version of praise on Zappe.
"Pretty consistent. About what it’s been all year," Belichick said. "He’s pretty even-keeled. Not a lot of roller coaster with him.”
Jones likely won't play Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. And recent history suggests that if he again becomes QB1, it won't be in Foxboro.
As a Top 15-pick quarterback bust, Jones won't be alone.
Since 2010, 42 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round and only one - Patrick Mahomes - has won a Super Bowl. Equally damning is the tragic trajectory of those chosen like Jones, in the Top 15.
The good news for Jones: 14 similar quarterbacks have flamed out of starting jobs with their original teams, only to get a change of scenery and, with it, a second chance:
2010 - 1st - Sam Bradford, Rams - After going 18-30-1 as the starter in St. Louis, he became QB1 in both Philly and Minnesota.
2011 - 10th - Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars - Also started games for the 49ers, Cardinals and Titans before winning a Super Bowl ring as Tom Brady's backup in Tampa.
2012 - 2nd - Robert Griffin III, Washington - After dazzling Rookie of the Year debut, injuries downgraded him to only an emergency starter with Browns and Ravens.
2012 - 8th - Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins - After five playoff seasons in Miami, traded to Tennessee where he started another four years before this season being replaced by rookie Will Levis.
2014 - 3rd - Blake Bortles, Jaguars - After five years starting in Jacksonville, found new home for one season backing up Jared Goff with Rams.
2015 - 1st - Jameis Winston, Buccaneers - Traded after epic 30-interception disaster in 2019, backup for Saints the last four seasons.
2015 - 2nd - Marcus Mariota, Titans - Lost QB1 jobs in Tennessee (to Tannehill) and in 2002 with Falcons (to Desmond Ridder).
2016 - 2nd - Carson Wentz, Eagles - After MVP-caliber start in Philly was derailed by torn ACL, earned temporary QB1 jobs in both Indianapolis and Washington.
2017 - 2nd - Mitch Trubisky, Bears - Three declining years as the starter in Chicago; since No. 2 in Buffalo and now Pittsburgh.
2018 - 1st - Baker Mayfield, Browns - After flaming out in Cleveland, has gone 6-15 as QB1 for Panthers, Rams and Bucs.
2018 - 3rd - Sam Darnold, Jets - Three-year starter in New York got one year in Carolina and is now No. 2 behind Brock Purdy in San Francisco.
2018 - 10th - Josh Rosen, Cardinals - Replaced by Kyler Murray after 3-10 start in Arizona, he got three starts in Miami before being demoted to backup in Atlanta.
2019 - 15th - Dwayne Haskins, Washington - Lost his job in Washington and was third-string in Pittsburgh when tragically killed in 2021.
2021 - 3rd - Trey Lance, 49ers - Started only four games in San Francisco before being demoted to No. 3 and traded to the Cowboys.
