“I Got Taken Out of the Game”: With All the Criticism Targeted at Bill Belichick, Dejected Mac Jones Bears the Brunt With Hopes of Redemption

The New England Patriots are chartering rough waters. The once golden boys of the NFL are now stuck in no-man’s-land after a season filled with losses. In 10 weeks of this season of the NFL, coach Bill Belichick could only ride his Patriots to two victories, while they grovel at eight losses.

The Patriots are severely underperforming this season, to the point that rumors about coach Belichick’s job being on the line are being flouted. And let’s not forget their starting QB Mac Jones. Jones has been having a rough bout for the last two seasons. Is the water finally gone above head for both Jones and the Patriots? Let’s find out.

Quarterback chronicles: Mac Jones opens up about being benched

In the latest episode of gridiron drama, Mac Jones found himself riding the pine during the New England Patriots’ epic clash with the Indianapolis Colts at Frankfurt Stadium in Germany. The quarterback’s fourth-quarter hiccup turned into a full-blown interception. And quicker than one can say “Hail Mary,” Coach Belichick tossed in the backup, Bailey Zappe, with just 1:52 left on the clock.

While Belichick seemed to shrug it off with the nonchalance of a veteran, Jones took it straight to the heart. The air was thick with tension as reporters pressed the hoodie-clad coach about Jones’ future as the starting QB post-bye week, and Belichick casually tossed it back, labeling it a “question for next week.” As the press conference played out, Jones looked like a mix of hurt and disappointed. In a post-game huddle, Jones spilled the beans on his benching, saying, “They told me I was out of the game. I wasn’t playing very good, so I got taken out of the game… that’s kinda what it was.”

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From rookie royalty to sophomore struggles: Jones’ turbulent journey

Mac Jones, the rookie sensation plucked from the first-round pick basket by the Patriots, inked a deal worth a whopping 15.6 million dollars over four years. In his debut season, Jones was hotter than a tailgate grill, snagging the Offensive Rookie of the Year title and steering the Patriots straight into the playoffs with a stellar 10-7 record.

But the sequel wasn’t a blockbuster. Last season, Jones hit a sophomore slump, stumbling to a 6-8 record as the starting quarterback while his production stats took a nosedive. This season, Jones seems to have misplaced his mojo in the locker room, rocking a dismal 2-8 record. Not only does he have as many losses as last season, but his passer rating has dived deeper than a free-falling field goal attempt.

The real head-scratcher? Will Jones be the quarterback the Patriots deserve or if the search for the franchise savior needs to resume? As the team heads into the bye week, the burning question is on everyone’s mind. Grab your popcorn, Patriots Nation–the game is far from over.

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