Last year around this time, Mac Jones seemed to be obviously getting better every time he set foot on the field as he charged toward winning the Patriots’ starting quarterback job as a rookie.
Going into his second year, Jones has looked more like a rookie than he arguably ever has as he and the offense slog through changes in the scheme and coaching staff with Josh McDaniels taking his offense to Las Vegas.
Friday’s preseason finale put those issues on display, with Jones tossing an ugly interception and looking out of sorts in the pocket as the starting offense mustered just three points in four drives.
Some are beginning to openly question whether or not head coach Bill Belichick’s off-season approach has stunted Jones’ developing going into a crucial second season. But Belichick, at least for now, remains more worried about the process rather than the results with his young quarterback.
Right now, Jones’ mental approach is still where the coach wants it to be.
“Mac’s had a great attitude every day,” Belichick said of Jones on The Greg Hill Show Monday morning. “Comes in early. He’s ready to work. … He’s one of our most consistent workers and prepares very well. I haven’t seen anything other than that.”
Of course, Belichick has almost surely seen (or heard about) Jones’ very public displays of frustration, slamming his helmet or tablets when he walks off the field after a bad drive. Anyone with a TV can, and people who have observed practice can’t miss Jones pacing the sidelines or slapping his thigh pad after mistakes.
But as jarring as that looks to outside observers, Belichick downplayed those frustrating moments, calling them a “daily” occurrence for everyone in varying degrees.
“When you come off the field, there’s always things you need to talk about or straighten out or fix. And there are things you’re going to feel good about. Just grind through it. It’s training camp. We still have another week to go in training camp even though the rosters are being reduced. … It’s a time for us to work and improve and get better.”
Perhaps it calls into question whether or not Jones needs more seasoning with the ups and downs of training camp and NFL life after a strong rookie year. Maybe Belichick is actually more concerned than he’s letting on and doesn’t want to relay that to the media.
What can’t be debated is that the regular season begins two Sundays from now against a Miami Dolphins team many believe will eclipse the Patriots this season after sweeping New England in 2021.
Some patience will be required with this team as they work to find their new offensive identity. But if Mac Jones consistently struggled to make the right decisions and play with some level of comfort near the mid-season mark, it’ll be harder to rationalize Belichick’s decision-making process this off-season.
