Report: Patriots' Mac, Belichick Had 'Broken Relationship'

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and former head coach Bill Belichick weren't on the same page during the 2023 season.

While there's no requirement for coaches and players to be the best of friends to ensure a team's success, some semblance of a relationship is critical if the team is going to withstand a 17-game season. 

For the New England Patriots, that connection between quarterback and head coach Bill Belichick was reportedly nonexistent. Masslive dove into the relationship between Belichick and Jones and where things went terribly wrong for them and the Patriots in one of their worst seasons in franchise history. 

"It’s a broken relationship,” a Patriots source told Masslive.com.

Mac Jones and Bill Belichick / Cred: New York Post Images

On a whim, Jones and Belichick not being on the same page and barely communicating, if at all, shouldn't surprise anyone. While many will point at Jones' play as the root of the issue, Belichick also deserves more than his fair share of blame. 

Jones went from looking like a franchise quarterback in his rookie season in 2021 with Josh McDaniels as the offensive coordinator to looking like a bust with Matt Patricia and Joe Judge running the offense in 2022 and Bill O'Brien as the playcaller last season. 

Masslive noted that things soured because of Patricia running the offense, and Jones wasn't shy about it to Belichick's dismay. 

"According to a team source, Jones' frustration over the insertion of Patricia, and moving to a more Shanahan-based offense was immediate," Masslive writes. "Before training camp, he showed resistance to changing offensive systems, especially after having success with McDaniels. That drew Belichick’s ire."

Jones went from throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as a rookie in 2021 to 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 14 games in 2022 and 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games last season. 

One could argue Jones was damaged goods by the time he entered this season with O'Brien, an actual offensive coach coaching the offense. Jones was pressing, which led to even more mistakes in critical moments of games.

As the team struggled, Masslive said Jones and Belichick's relationship got worse. Jones was benched four times, the last of which came in a Week 12 loss to the New York Giants after he threw two interceptions in the first half. 

Jones' relationship with Belichick deteriorated to the point where he was complimentary of how the New York Jets handled the situation with Zach Wilson, according to Masslive.

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The book is still open for Jones in New England with Jerod Mayo becoming the new head coach. Masslive said that wouldn't have been the case had Belichick remained the head coach. 

Regardless, things look bleak at best for Jones. Masslive reported New England doesn't plan on picking up his fifth-year option, and given that the Pats are picking No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, it wouldn't shock anyone if that pick is used on a quarterback. 

Jones isn't blameless in this situation, and maybe a fresh start can help him regain his rookie form. And maybe that fresh start could possibly come in the form of Mayo leading the team now. 

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