Mac Jones On ‘Hot Seat’ Entering 2023, Per Analyst

Mac Jones was brilliant in his rookie campaign with the New England Patriots, but he struggled in 2022. Bailey Zappe almost took his job and let’s just say Bill Belichick is taking his time to pick the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Huge drama unfolds in New England and analysts say that Jones is on the “hot seat” ahead of the 2023 NFL season.

Belichick made some changes to the offensive staff and things took a wild turn. The Patriots offense struggled in 2022, putting Jones in a rather miserable position. Jones and Josh McDaniels worked well together, but the quarterback struggled following his departure.

Alex Kay from Bleacher Report discussed the current situation in New England, offering a prediction on Jones’ future with the team.

“The Patriots have at least taken some steps to improve their offensive output in 2023,” wrote Kay. “Judge and Patricia are no longer prominently involved in the offense, with former Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien returning to New England for a second stint as the organization’s offensive coordinator.

“That move should aid Jones, but it’s looking like his leash is now much shorter. If Jones doesn’t deliver with O’Brien calling plays, it could lead to him being demoted or dealt before 2024.”

Jones on the “hot seat” for 2023 amid tension between him and Belichick

Rumors confirm the tension between Belichick and his starting quarterback. Jones wasn’t happy with the offense last season and Belichick wasn’t happy with his attitude. According to Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk, the Patriots tried to shop Jones early in the offseason.

“The full list of potential destinations isn’t known,” Florio reported. “The teams mentioned as potential destinations were the Raiders, Texans, Buccaneers and Commanders.

“A team hoping to draft a quarterback could pivot to Jones, if that team doesn’t get the guy it wants. The Raiders are the ones to keep watching. Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract lands in the low-end of middle class for starters, and Jones has two years left under a slotted rookie deal, before his fifth-year option would apply.”

Mark Daniels from MassLive and Andrew Callahan from the Boston Herald shared a different story.

“Checking with league sources today, I found no belief the Patriots will trade Mac Jones,” Callahan tweeted. “One team source called the ‘shopped’ report nonsense. It struck others around the league as likely old news overstated. Jones was in the building today and has been regularly, per sources.”

Florio tried to explain his take without changing a fact. He admitted that Jones is a Patriot at the moment, but added that his starting job isn’t secure.