Mac Jones looking to earn Patriots' 'respect' after brutal season
Third-year Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is looking to improve in all areas across the board following a disappointing sophomore season.
When speaking to reporters over the past week, the former first-round pick — who was heavily scrutinized last season in New England, where there was an offensive coaching change and a maligned system to boot — vowed how he’s “going to do everything I can to earn the respect of everybody in this building again.”
“Sometimes the most confident people come from a year where they might not have been their best. I feel like that’s where I’m at,” the 24-year-old Jones said, according to ESPN.
“Really great people are formed through ups and downs. Some of the learning experiences I had last year will really help. There’s a lot of things I can do better as a person, as a player.”
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones speaks to the media at offseason workouts on May 31, 2023. AP
The 15th overall pick out of Alabama in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones flourished in his rookie season, throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and earned a Pro Bowl nod.
But in January 2022, the Patriots saw the departure of longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who became the head coach of the Raiders.
Enter Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, who previously served as New England’s defensive and special teams coordinators, respectively, to run the offense.
Although there were reported growing pains at training camp, frustrations spilled over into the regular season, with Jones frequently at the center of sideline outbursts.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Raiders in December 2022. Getty Images
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) speaks with coaches Matt Patricia (left) and Joe Judge (center) during a game in December 2022. Getty Images
The quarterback’s action also rubbed Patriots alums the wrong way, with Super Bowl champions Vince Wilfork and Julian Edelman publicly chastising Jones’ behavior.
The Patriots finished the year at 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
Jones’ production also dipped, with the quarterback throwing for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions through 14 regular-season games.
Since then, the organization has made sweeping changes to the offense, adding former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien in January and signing former Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency.
Patricia also left to become a senior defensive assistant with the Eagles.
Mac Jones (10) practices at Patriots OTAs on May 31, 2023. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones walks on the field with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien during OTAs on May 31, 2023. AP
With OTAs now underway, Jones is said to be “in good command of the offense,” and “is throwing the ball well,” according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“The Patriots really believe that they’re in a good spot here with the offensive identity under Bill O’Brien,” Fowler recently said on “SportsCenter,” via Boston.com.
It remains to be seen if both Jones and New England can have a bounce-back season as they compete within a loaded AFC East.
Source: New York Post
