Is Mac Jones to blame for Belichick’s departure?
According to a piece on NBC Sports Boston by Tom Curran, Patriots owner Robert Kraft seems to tie Mac Jones’ decline as a starting quarterback, from a “promising Tom Brady replacement” to “literally unusable,” directly to Bill Belichick’s coaching staff decisions after Josh McDaniels left following the 2021 season.
“Belichick’s draft record has been spotty since 2013,” Curran wrote. “His return on a record-setting free agent splurge in ’21 was meager. Jones’ decline from promising (Tom) Brady replacement to literally unusable is, in the eyes of ownership, tied directly to Belichick’s coaching staff decisions after Josh McDaniels left.”
Jones had a challenging year in 2023, posting career lows in various statistical categories. If the Patriots consider Jones part of the problem, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s traded or released in the upcoming offseason.
The possibility of Jones following Belichick to a new coaching destination is also speculated.
