Patriots fans everywhere are scratching their heads. They’re wondering, “Is Mac Jones really to blame here?” It’s the big question since the Patriots decided to trade Jones away. But here’s a twist: it looks like we might have Bill Belichick, the former HC, to thank for this.
The whispers have been growing louder for the past couple of years. And they’re pointing to Belichick’s decisions. And it’s not just fans talking. Even Dan Orlovsky, the ex-QB from Tampa Bay, is chiming in, suggesting Belichick’s moves played a big part in how things unfolded.
Bill Belichick ripped apart by Orlovsky
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Mac Jones had a standout first season! He bagged 10 wins and a spot in the AFC Wildcard game. But then, it seemed like Bill Belichick, juggling roles as head coach and GM, might have hit the brakes on Jones’ growth. Orlovsky at ESPN’s “Get Up!” didn’t hold back. “This is the walking example of how to ruin a guy that was a young, promising player. You give him god- awful coaching and then support him with absolutely very little help around him.”
Organizational failure https://t.co/TQr9QTa3Hl
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) March 11, 2024
The Pats, known for their golden era, were once the cradle of legends. It was the same team where Tom Brady rose to the status of “GOAT” under Belichick. But for Jones, the story unfolded differently. “I wouldn’t I wouldn’t dare put a rookie quarterback out there for new in New England. That’s the quickest way to really, really set that whoever that guy is back in his career.”
What was supposed to be a launching pad for great football careers seems to have taken a downturn. But how exactly did Belichick and his team miss the mark in supporting Jones’ ascent?
How to ruin a rookie QB 101
Mac Jones had a bit of a rough ride. When Josh McDaniels packed his bags for the Raiders, it kind of left Jones standing on shaky ground. And get this, Belichick didn’t even bother naming a new OC. So, they ended up with this weird setup where Joe Judge and Matt Patricia were sort of tag-teaming the play-calling.
Then Rex Ryan didn’t hold back. He straight-up called it “coaching malpractice” for not shaping the offense to fit what Jones is good at. And if that wasn’t enough, Jones’s support team on the field? Not exactly A-list. We’re talking an okayish O-line and a bunch of second and third-stringers trying to catch passes.
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Was Jones ever going to evolve into a top-level franchise quarterback? Probably not. But he had already shown the ability to competently operate an offense. Unfortunately, the former No. 15 overall draft pick never had a real chance. Belichick did not put his young QB in a position to succeed. And per Orlovsky, he did the exact opposite of that.