Patriots Country

Picking Patriots: Former Captain Chooses Side In Bill Belichick-Mac Jones Rift

Jason McCourty is the latest New England Patriots alum to sound off on the rift between Bill Belichick and Mac Jones.

Geoff Magliocchetti

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With sides starting to form in the rumored civil war between the New England Patriots' franchise quarterback and longtime head coach, one of the recent captains has made his choice 

Speaking on Wednesday's edition of "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network, Jason McCourty urged the Patriots not to turn their back on Mac Jones, who has been the subject of reported trade rumors said to be launched by Bill Belichick. 

McCourty, less than a year removed from ending a 13-year NFL career that included three seasons in Foxboro with his twin brother Devin, urged the Patriots not to be tempted by outsiders, reasoning that Jones' potential on display during his rookie year was too great to dismiss after one dismal year. 

"Be careful what you wish for in hopes of ‘there’s something better on the other side,’" McCourty said "Mac was really good in his rookie year. Let’s see what he can become.”

Jones guided the Patriots to the postseason in his debut year, posting 3,801 yards, 22 touchdown passes, and a 92.5 passer rating, which led all 2021 draftees. Progress in his sophomore season was partly hindered by an ankle injury, which briefly saw him lose the top passing duties to rookie Bailey Zappe. 

McCourty says that the Patriots' change in offensive management, the shift ditching the de facto duo of Joe Judge and Matt Patricia in favor of Bill O'Brien, could benefit Jones more than anyone. 

“I love Joe Judge and I love Matt Patricia,” McCourty said. “They’re two really good football coaches. But as they take over on offense, and they were kind of co-coordinators, quarterback coaches, positions that they hadn’t held, that’s not fair to Mac Jones. We’ve heard Robert Kraft come out as the owner and say he really likes Mac Jones, and he said (the Patriots) didn’t do him any favors in his second year. I think these rumblings and everything we’re hearing, we need to slow down.”

Despite his relatively brief time in New England, McCourty knows how to succeed under Belichick's watch: he spent his final season in Foxboro as a captain alongside his brother and is perhaps best-known amongst Patriots fans for his crucial break-up of a Jared Goff pass to Brandin Cooks that stopped a would-be touchdown in a 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. 

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Geoff Magliocchetti

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