Keyshawn Johnson thinks everybody is being too tough on Matt Patricia.
The ex-NFL great said Tuesday on his ESPN Radio show the real problem with the Patriots’ offense is Mac Jones.
“The quarterback isn’t that good, man. The quarterback is OK,” he said. “They packaged him up last year, and they sold him to you. The first thing people want to say is, ‘He’s a Pro Bowl quarterback!’ Come on, man. Let’s be honest with each other. You can go to the Pro Bowl nowadays as the 39th alternate at your position.”
While Jones was the best rookie quarterback last season, he faded down the stretch, posting a 79.8 QB rating over his final five games. The Patriots went 2-3, and lost three of their last four.
New England bested the Cardinals 27-13 Monday, but the offense sputtered once again. It was a brutal performance that elicited non-stop criticism from Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
Jones has clearly regressed in his sophomore campaign, with seven touchdowns and eight interceptions through 10 games. The Patriots, despite their flaws, were a top 10 offense last season.
This year, they’re 18th in points scored.
Yet, Johnson says Jones wasn’t much better last season.
“He’s doing basically the same thing he did last year, except they’re not getting the necessary points they were getting a year ago.,” he said. “That’s the reality of it. I know it’s hard for people to understand or want to hear or swallow, but Mac Jones is just a guy. Let’s not get so caught up in him at the quarterback position and his growth and demean the offensive staff and the play calling to the degree that Josh McDaniels had this explosive offense and now it’s gone.”
Maybe Johnson is right. Patricia is a scapegoat for this season; but long term, Jones might not be good enough.
