QB Controversy? Patriots Veteran Refuses Full Endorsement of Mac Jones

Instead of voicing his full support for quarterback Mac Jones, New England Patriots' veteran safety Adrian Phillips said the team is merely going to "ride with whoever's out there."

Few players in the NFL seem to be walking a tightrope quite like Mac Jones.

One year he's in the Pro Bowl; the next he almost loses his job to a fourth-round rookie. One minute New England Patriots' coach Bill Belichick is shopping him in trade talks; the next owner Robert Kraft is inviting him to upscale parties and singing his praises. Sometimes he's labeled a "dirty" player by his peers; others he receives a "clean slate" from new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.

No doubt Jones is the Pats' lightning rod, the player who gets both praise and flimsy endorsements from teammates. Jones will enter training camp on July 26 as the No. 1 quarterback. O'Brien has said it. Belichick - albeit in typical understated fashion - has said it.

But there are Patriots fans unsure whether Jones is clearly better than Bailey Zappe. Fans ... and players?

Former All-Pro safety Adrian Phillips is the latest Patriot to muddy the waters. He was recently interviewed on “NFL Total Access” with Mike Yam and Maurice Jones-Drew, and didn't exactly throw his full support behind Jones.

“Look man, you’re trying to get me in trouble,” Phillips said. “One thing I’ll say, and pretty much the only thing I’ll say about that is that I’m not in the meetings with them, so I don’t know what’s going on over there. But I will say that Mac is competing. All those guys are competing, and we’re going to ride with whoever’s out there.”

For now Jones is No. 1, backed-up by Zappe and veteran No. 3 Trace McSorley. And for now, Mac will continue tip-toeing along his tightrope.

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