Mark Daniels: Patriots goal for 2022 should be to fix Mac Jones

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Lets take a trip down memory lane. In case you forgot, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was good last season.

As a rookie, he finished the 2021 season 13th in passing yards (3,801), tied for 14th in passing touchdowns (22) and eighth in completion percentage (67.6). That performance earned him Pro Bowl honors (as an alternate). This offseason, Jones was voted by his peers as a top 100 player, coming in at No. 85 on the NFL Networks Top 100 Players of 2022? list.

Its fair if you forgot all that information because right now the quarterbacks play is frankly not good.

The Patriots came into 2022 with fair expectations. You hopefully didnt have delusions of grandeur thinking this squad would win a Super Bowl title. It wasnt about that. This fall was about Jones. You had a young quarterback who was a top 15 quarterback in the NFL as a rookie. The goal for this season was to help Jones become a top-10 player at his position even borderline wouldve been fine.

Instead, Jones has taken a step backwards and theres a variety of reasons we can dive into. Instead of talking about a top 10 (or even top 15) quarterback, were watching a player who isnt in among the top for most categories, excluding interceptions.

Nope, thats not what were looking for. Its certainly not what the Patriots were hoping for. Enter your email address here to receive MassLive’s Patriots newsletter every Monday and Friday.
      

Take Sunday, for example. Jones looked skittish – and for good reason as he was sacked a career-high six times in a season where hes been hurt twice now. He finished the Patriots 22-17 win over the New York Jets with 194 yards on 24 of 35 passing to go with a touchdown and an interception. That pick wasnt his fault, but his questionable decision making couldve easily led to two more interceptions. Thats including a pick-6 that was called back.

Jones Week 8 performance was more worrisome than inspiring. Compare it to last year and its even more concerning. In Week 7 of 2021, Jones dismantled the Jets, throwing for 307 yards to go with two touchdowns en route to. 54-13 win.

Thats not long ago, but it feels like forever. That was back when Jones was viewed as the Patriots future franchise quarterback. Fast forward a year and here we sit wondering what in the world is going on with Jones.

Regardless of the Patriots outcome this season, the most important thing is this team figures it out with Jones over the next nine games. Honestly, the 2022 season doesnt matter. Whether or not they make the playoffs really doesnt matter. Its more important Bill Belichick figures out what happened to that once promising quarterback he coached a year ago.

The answer to that question has major ramifications on the franchises future.Patriots still believe in Mac Jones

Unsurprisingly, Jones teammates dont necessarily see it that way.

Patriots players have been impressed with Jones in the wake of Bailey Zappe fever. For example, Jones helped put together extra film sessions and throwing sessions with his offensive teammates this week. That stemmed from a dreadful Monday night loss to the Chicago Bears where Jones was pulled from the game after three series.

Macs a stud, man. We all know that. That never wavered, tight end Hunter Henry said. Hes our leader, man. Were going to go out there and compete for him.

His toughness, his leadership and honestly, his resiliency, receiver Nelson Agholor added. He shows consistent resiliency day in and day out. No matter what happens the play before, the week before. He embraces the moment hes in and give it his all.

Im not surprised at all. Thats what we expect, tight end Jonnu Smith said. He came out chin up, forgot about last week and kept it moving forward.

Still, you could see the frustration on Jones face Sunday. The quarterback was sacked early and often. The three sacks on him in the first three series marked the second time since 2001 that the Patriots allowed three sacks in the first quarter, according to ESPN. Then in the second quarter, Bruce Huff hit the ball as he released a downfield throw. That led to his seventh interception of the season.

Jones was fiery on the sideline and even approached the offensive linemen on the bench.

He was just like Come on, when we get our chance, lets make it count, Mike Onwenu said. It is a good quality. He knows stuff happens, but were going to do our best and were going to protect him.

Added tackle Marcus Cannon: He leads us well. Hes a great leader. We have his back.Do the Patriots know how to fix Mac Jones?

Its hard to identify what the exact problem is with Jones. Truthfully, we can come up with a list of excuses.

The biggest is the offensive scheme change. Last season, he had Josh McDaniels as his position coach and play caller. This year, theres Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. When McDaniels left, the Patriots changed their offensive schematics and theres been a clear adjustment for Jones and this offensive line. The communication hasnt been consistent, and we saw that on the Jones pick-6 that was called back due to a roughing penalty. It appeared as though Jones thought Jakobi Meyers would break out to the sideline. When Jones threw it there, Meyers was nowhere to be found.

Theres also the offensive line. They need to play better. This is a team that needs to give Jones more clean pockets. They also need to win up front to run the ball efficiently. Without solid offensive line play, weve seen three quarterback injuries in the first four weeks – Jones back and shoulder to go with Brian Hoyers concussion.

Then you have the talent level. Jones isnt throwing to a single Pro Bowl caliber receiver or tight end. He doesnt have his Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman combo. Theres also Jones injury. Is his nervousness in the pocket due to the back injury and high ankle sprain?

Of course, those excuses are excusing Jones for making poor decisions when he throws the ball. Turnovers are a problem. Theres no denying it.

Last season, we saw a young quarterback whos best attributes were his accuracy and decision making. A year later, were wondering what happened to that guy.

The Patriots must find him.