The New England Patriots and their quarterback, Mac Jones, are at a crossroads. Picked in the NFL Draft by Bill Belichick, Jones has been part of a selection process that, frankly, has raised eyebrows. His performance at practice hasn’t been overly impressive, and the backup option, Bailey Zappe, hasn’t shown great potential either. The possibility of turning to Malik Cunningham seems unlikely, as it doesn’t align with Belichick’s typical strategy.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
The direction of the Patriots under Belichick is becoming increasingly difficult to decipher. Despite rumors of Belichick signing an off-season extension, there’s speculation about his attractiveness to other teams.
The quarterback situation in New England is particularly puzzling. If they’re not aiming to draft Caleb Williams at number one, attention might shift to Drake Maye. Maye’s athletic ability and skill set are viewed as superior to Jones’, aligning more closely with the dynamic requirements of modern NFL quarterbacks.
Check out SportsGrid’s NFL game picks and NFL Props Picks all Season Long.
Jones, by contrast, is seen as somewhat of a “dinosaur” type of quarterback. His mobility is limited, and he’s heavily reliant on his surrounding team, which has been underperforming. Despite having a strong offensive line geared more towards run blocking, the Patriots’ receiving corps and utilization of their tight ends have been subpar. This lack of support, coupled with Jones’ own poor decision-making and performance, has created a less-than-ideal situation in New England.
Given these circumstances, there’s a growing sentiment that the Patriots might need to move on from Mac Jones. Comparisons are drawn to the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers, who have faced similar decisions with Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, respectively. It’s becoming increasingly clear that a significant change might be necessary for the Patriots to regain their competitive edge.
