Patriots Insider: Mac Envious of Jets' Zach Wilson Treatment
Just how bad was the New England Patriots quarterback situation this past season? Obviously, considering that former first-round pick Mac Jones was benched permanently in Week 12 in favor of his then-backup Bailey Zappe before ending the season as the emergency third quarterback, it would be pretty bad.
However, "bad" doesn't suffice to describe what transpired with the promising Alabama product accurately. Dysfunctional may be the most accurate term for describing the relationship between the Patriots' coaching staff, specifically Bill Belichick and Jones.
According to a recent report from Mass Live's Mark Daniels, things had gotten so bad between the two sides that after Jones found out he was going to be a "healthy scratch" for the Patriots Week 18 game versus the New York Jets until 90 minutes before kickoff, his frustration about a lack of communication boiled over.
“On the other sideline, Zach Wilson, who was drafted the same year as Jones, also lost his starting job,” Daniels writes. “But the Jets had been upfront with their struggling quarterback. ... According to a source who was on the field pregame, the Patriots quarterback was so bothered by his team’s lack of communication, he told a member of the Jets’ staff that he appreciated how their organization handled Wilson’s situation."
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Daniels later said that a source described Jones and Belichick's relationship as "broken."
While Belichick is no longer with the team due to his mutual parting of ways with the franchise this offseason, it remains unclear exactly what the future holds for Jones. With Jerod Mayo as the new coach, who will bring in a new offensive coordinator, Jones could have another chance to prove his worth, whether that is as a backup or not.
However, recent reports have painted a picture of Jones's own teammates being "sick" of him after he attended Mayo's introductory workout gear, despite reportedly clearing out his locker at the end of the season.
Combine that with Mayo's telling hints of wanting to use his No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft on a quarterback; it seems Jones' days as the franchise quarterback in New England are over.
