Before the 2022 NFL season began, most analysts were predicting that the New England Patriots would make the playoffs and perhaps have a puncher’s chance at going very far once there.
In addition, some were expecting big things from Mac Jones, their second-year starting quarterback.
But Jones has been lackluster, not only because he’s been dealing with an ankle injury, but also because he simply hasn’t produced the way most expected him to.
Now, it also looks like Jones may not be on the same page with the Patriots organization.
NFL reporter Albert Breer outlined what has been going wrong between the two sides.
Mac Jones' relationship with #Patriots has 'gotten sideways'
"Wait a second, 'why are you hiring a defensive coach as my offensive coordinator?'"
.@AlbertBreer was on the @dpshow and detailed the friction in the relationship.
Pats wanted Mac to get surgery and Mac declined. pic.twitter.com/z7rcUZaYml
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 18, 2022
Jones apparently doesn’t like some of the coaching decisions the franchise has made, and according to Breer, he isn’t the type of player who will just accept changes or coaching in general without questioning them.
In addition, New England wanted Jones to have his ankle injury operated on, while Jones simply wanted to let it heal.
The team started 1-2 with him under center, but it has won its last two games without him, and its offense has arguably looked better than it did before Jones got hurt.
The Pats shut out the Detroit Lions in Week 5, 29-0, then blew out the Cleveland Browns, 38-15, as starting QB Bailey Zappe, a rookie who was taken in the fourth round of April’s NFL draft, went 24 of 34 and threw two touchdown passes against zero interceptions.
In his three contests so far this year, Jones has thrown five interceptions and just two touchdowns while posting a very weak passer rating of 76.2.
PICKED BY @minkfitz_21‼️
📺 #NEvsPIT on CBS pic.twitter.com/C4temzVUyw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 18, 2022
At 3-3, the Patriots aren’t out of it, at least not yet, but with all the depth and talent in the AFC, they will need to get things going in order to return to the postseason.
NEXT: Should The Patriots Stick With Bailey Zappe?