After a dismal sophomore campaign with the Patriots, Mac Jones has a lot to prove in 2023 — both on the field and off. Whether it was inconsistent play, frustrations with Matt Patricia’s offense or on-field histrionics laden with colorful expletives, Jones drifted far from the composed, mature and productive rookie we saw in 2021.
With Bill O’Brien in charge of the offense and his future up in the air, Jones is bearing down, working hard and showing he can be a leader again. And some former Pats execs and coaches have taken notice and are lauding him for it.
Speaking to Jason McCourty on Wednesday’s “Good Morning Football,” former Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli praised Jones for his approach this offseason, telling J-Mac, “I absolutely love his candor, and I love his humility.”
Pioli, a three-time Super Bowl champ with the Pats during the 2000s, speculates that Jones spoke privately with the team to let them know he is going to work to be better this season, then spoke those same words publicly.
“He put public accountability not only to himself but to his team and his teammates,” Pioli said, adding he admires that in a person and believes this will help Jones take great strides this upcoming season.
Former Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini also believes Jones is getting himself back on the right track with his coaches and teammates. But Mangini feels that may not just happen overnight.
Speaking with The33rdTeam.com, Mangini, who famously fell out of favor with Bill Belichick himself years ago (no need to rehash all that), said he felt Jones didn’t know how good he had it in 2021.
“It was a perfect situation for who he was,” noted the former Jets and Browns head coach, adding that he believes there was “a little arrogance” in the way Jones handled himself then. Mangini said he’s glad Jones is working to regain trust and respect, but also added, “When you come in and there’s high expectations and you’ve been given a lot of respect, and you lose it? It’s a longer road to get that back.”
Jones himself has gone on the record saying, “I’m going to do everything I can to earn respect from everyone in this building again.” Teammates like Rhamondre Stevenson and Kyle Dugger have noted that Jones has always been mature from Day 1, with Stevenson seeing a slight uptick in Jones’s focus this season.
“He’s just on it this year,” the running back told reporters at Patriots OTAs Tuesday.
Fans will likely welcome Jones back into their good graces with productivity, proficiency and points. Teammates and coaches will likely want to see leadership, poise and a return to the track Jones was on in his successful rookie season. As for Belichick, who reportedly was most displeased with Jones’ fits on the field — not to mention his decision to go outside the organization for help with the offense — well, he’s mentioned him by name again, so that’s progress! Something plenty are taking note of as Jones works to return luster to his name and entrench himself as the starter for 2023 and beyond.