People inside the Patriots’ organization aren’t too happy with quarterback Mac Jones these days.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Tuesday that Jones’ decision-making had been “infuriating” people in Foxboro.
Jones has been having another underwhelming season for the Pats as the team sinks into the AFC East basement.
“One thing that’s really infuriated people there, people in the building is the decision-making,” Breer said during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston. “They’ve been sold this smart, efficient, game-managing quarterback and they’re not getting it. The decision-making hasn’t been good. They see him passing up open receivers.
“They see things, quite frankly, that you wouldn’t see from a quarterback who has those sorts of qualities.”
Jones came into this season with a bit of a target on his back after struggling in 2022.
Breer used a play in the third quarter of the Patriots’ loss to the Commanders last weekend as an example.
Jones opted to scramble instead of throwing to tight end Mike Geisicki, who was open.
Breer said that the coaches that he knew were “baffled” by Jones’ decision in that instance.
“I think that there’s some self-doubt too,” Breer said. “Because there are other examples of plays, I’m told, where he’s checked to screens and they’ve gotten blown up. So, it’s just — it’s like the wiring is off right now.
“So, beyond everything else, the wiring is off. When you check to a certain play because you see something and the play works and the receiver is open, and all you have to do is pull the trigger and make the throw and you’re tucking the ball and running around the corner for three yards, something is not right.”
Jones has thrown for 1,861 yards this season with 10 touchdowns.
He also has nine interceptions to his name.
The Pats QB has career lows in yards per completion (6.1), quarterback rating (80.2) and completion percentage (64.8).
And the issues go beyond just his physical limitations, according to Breer, who added that there seemed to be a problem with him taking the coaching he’s been getting.
“That creates a much bigger problem,” Breer said. “Because if this is who Mac Jones is, and we’ve seen some of the defiance bubble over in the press conferences, if he’s not running the offense as prescribed, then what do you have? Because it’s not like he can put the cape on and be Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, so if you don’t have that one part of it, then what do you have?”
The Patriots are set to face the Colts this weekend.
