Robert Kraft: Patriots ‘Blessed’ with Mac Jones
FOXBORO — Regardless of the field in which you choose to work, endorsements from the boss are always a good thing.
Therefore, when New England Patriots team owner and CEO Robert Kraft took the opportunity to praise starting quarterback Mac Jones, as well as new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, it is bound to raise an eyebrow.
“We’re blessed to have a great young quarterback in Mac Jones,” Kraft said during a Friday morning appearance on Fox Business. “I’m a strong believer in him and his development.”
Kraft’s pseudo-advocacy for Jones is a significant step for the 24-year-old Patriots starter, who recently earned another vote of confidence from a Pats legend.
Despite entering the season on the heels of an impressive rookie campaign, he struggled to rekindle his previous success in 2022. Throughout much of the season, Jones displayed notable discomfort in New England's new offensive system, led by offensive play-caller Matt Patricia.
At times, the disconnect between the players and the coaching staff was so overt that Jones was observed hurling expletive-laden frustrations, believed to be in the direction of his coaches.
However, New England has made significant changes to their coaching personnel for the upcoming season. Patricia is out, while O’Brien is in.
“I’m very happy that we were able to bring in a new offensive coordinator to help develop our young quarterback, Mac Jones, “Kraft told Fox Business. “I think bringing in Bill O’Brien has been a big plus for our franchise and that was done in full cooperation with coach [Bill] Belichick. I’m very excited about our team next year.”
Jones has a previous working relationship with O’Brien. While the pair have yet to share the sidelines as player and coach, the 24-year-old Pats starter was one of the select few players tasked with assisting him in learning the nuances of a “challenging” Alabama offensive system, which O’Brien coordinated from 2021-22.
Kraft echoed these sentiments during an informal meeting with reporters in Scottsdale, AZ — as part of the festivities for Super Bowl LVII — earlier on Friday.
“I think he [O’Brien] was an excellent choice,” Kraft told NBC Sports Boston. “And he has learning-curve experience in our system. He knows Mac Jones. He knows how to build a great offense, and I’m excited to see what happens next year.”
Since purchasing the New England Patriots in 1994, Kraft has overseen the most successful run of any NFL franchise during that time span. The Patriots have made the playoffs 22 times in Kraft's 28 years as owner, winning 19 AFC East titles [including 11 in a row from 2009 to 2019], 10 conference championships and six Super Bowl titles.
For much of Kraft’s prolific run in the Patriots’ owners box, the team was under the direction of Belichick and led on the field by quarterback Tom Brady. However, for the past four years, [beginning with Brady’s final season with the team in 2019], New England has yet to taste playoff victory.
While this remains a fact which does not sit well with Kraft, his excitement for the future of the franchise should instill some optimism into the Patriots fanbase for 2023.
Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots
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