1 – There has already been a lot of talk surrounding Patriots quarterback Mac Jones this offseason and it’s only mid-February.
It seems that most of the football world has an opinion on what went wrong in Jones’ second season – spoiler: coaching was a big problem! -- and what the future holds for the 2021 No. 15 overall pick.
Teammates are talking about Jones. Former Patriots players are talking. NFL analysts from all walks of the world are talking.
So far Jones has smartly kept quiet.
But New England’s No. 10 did move the media needle just slightly this week when videos of him engaged in offseason workouts made the rounds on social media. Former Texas Tech quarterback-turned-trainer Nic Shimonek posted a series of clips on Instagram of Jones in the gym doing a variety of workouts from the last few weeks saying his client was, “LOCKED IN!”
Jones’ official Instagram account then commented on Shimonek’s post saying, “Consistency and RE EARN THE RESPECT thru work!!!! #FEA”
Clearly Jones is well aware of the criticism hurled his way from all directions throughout his tough 2022 season. He knows he went from Pro Bowl rookie quarterback and the perceived long-term franchise leader in New England to fighting for his job and, yes, his NFL” respect.”
Nothing he can really do or certainly say in the months between now and the new season in September will change what happened in his sophomore campaign that was such a debacle under the since-replaced coaching leadership of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge.
But it can be motivation to fuel Jones’ work this offseason, work toward a possible bounce back year to get his career back on track under the direction of newly-hired New England offensive boss Bill O’Brien.
It certainly looks like Jones is using it that way.
2 – The early part of the offseason, when players are away from their team’s training facilities for the most part, is a time when social media clips are often the way fans get a peek into what guys are doing for both work and play. And Jones wasn’t the only Patriots player with workout videos that popped up on social media this week, or even the only QB. Backup Bailey Zappe posted to his own Instagram account a video of him throwing on what appears to be the New England practice field at Gillette Stadium, apparently with fellow second-year player Tyquan Thornton, who he tagged in the post. Tis the season for social media workout posts and the two players are at it early getting a jumpstart on their potential Year 2 Jumps in New England.
3 – Former Patriots Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler was in Arizona this week making the media rounds at radio row. The cornerback had lots to say about lots of things, including promoting a potential documentary and book about his own Super Bowl LII benching that remains one of the most curious coaching decisions in sports history.
Beyond his own past, Butler also made some interesting comments to MassLive about what he saw from the New England offense in his short stint returning to the Patriots last spring and summer. Though Butler landed on injured reserve in the preseason and was released, he was around long enough to get a handle on how his former defensive coordinator Patricia was handling his new job running the Jones-led offense after Josh McDaniels’ departure to the Raiders.
Butler told MassLive of Patricia’s “frustration” when some of his wide receivers seemingly weren’t running sprints at an acceptable speed. As for the offense that Patricia, Judge and Bill Belichick were installing in Foxborough last spring and summer, well it’s safe to say that Butler was not impressed.
“It was just so predictable. The plays were so predictable,” Butler told MassLive of practice field action. “It was like they always tried to go deep downfield. It was just so predictable. They’d get in trips, I know what they’re going to run. Or shotgun, they’re not (running).
It’s pass first.”
4 – Tom Brady’s retirement and speculation about TB12’s future have been a constant talking point throughout the two-week build up to Super Bowl LVII. Even when Brady isn’t a part of the big game he’s proven over the last two years he’s part of the story. Late this week he reportedly officially filed his retirement papers, following up on his emotional announcement on social media a week earlier. As much as that is a next step in the process, it’s really a formality. Brady, who’s set to be a free agent this spring, could still return to the NFL any time he chose. That said, it certainly continues to be worth wondering what, exactly, he’ll be doing in the coming weeks, months and years. Could he make a surprise appearance on Fox’s broadcast on Sunday, even though he’s revealed that he won’t join the network on his $375 million contract until the 2024 season? Will he ever actually jump into the broadcast booth? Brady’s retirement may now be “official,” but that certainly doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of him as he theoretically enters the next chapter of his life. Far from it, apparently.
5 – Though his team is nowhere near contending for a spot in the Super Bowl these days, like so many in NFL circles Patriots owner Robert Kraft hit the interview circuit this week. The patriarch of Patriot Nation professed his support for Jones and discussed his plans for honoring Brady. He also made it clear that New England will remain tied to the Kraft family for a long, long time.
"After my family, the New England Patriots are the most important thing in my life. It's not a business. It's really part of my family. It's part of the community. If we do well, it makes the whole region better," Kraft told FOX Business. "I'm never selling it. We've set it up, so it hopefully stays in the family for many decades to come.”
6 – Once Super Bowl Sunday concludes, the entire NFL will officially be in the offseason. Attention in all 32 cities can turn to the chase for the next Lombardi Trophy. As such there are a few key dates to be aware of on the upcoming NFL calendar. Starting Feb. 21 and through March 7, teams can use their franchise and transition tags on would-be free agents. The NFL Scouting Combine will take place Feb. 28 – March 6 in Indianapolis. March 7 is the first date for college pro days and official prospect visits to NFL facilities. The so-called legal tampering for free agency kicks off on March 13, leading up to the start of the new league year and free agency on March 15.
The NFL Draft is April 27-29.
7 – Prediction Time!: The 2022 NFL season officially comes to an end Sunday afternoon in Arizona as Kansas City and Philadelphia battle in Super Bowl LVII. The game certainly has the potential on paper to be a fun one. Both teams have productive offenses and defensive units that can hold their own, each led by impressive pass rushes. Patrick Mahomes is the best QB on the planet, but Jalen Hurts has taken a huge leap to lead his offense this season.
An argument can be made that Andy Reid is the best coach in the NFL right now. Nick Sirianni has put his youthful stamp on the Eagles. Points should be scored and plays should be made. It’s just hard to bet against the Reid and Mahomes combo the way they have consistently gotten the job done in recent years. Five straight AFC title games. Three Super Bowls in the last four years. The duo can take their accomplishments to the next level with a key step winning a second ring together. And that’s exactly what we see happening as the Chiefs take the 30-24 win over the Eagles. Yes, Kansas City is indeed knocking on that historic door of becoming a dynasty.