NFL insider claims ‘quiet friction’ between Mac Jones and Bill Belichick could ‘boil over’
Even with Mac Jones on the fast track to healing and returning from a high ankle sprain, things reportedly aren’t so hunky-dory between the second-year quarterback and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio claimed he had reason to believe there was “quiet friction” brewing that could potentially “boil over” due to how the coaching staff changes have been handled.
“Let me be careful how I frame this because I don’t really have this nailed down yet, but I have reason to believe there’s something between Mac Jones and the coaching staff,” said Florio. “…I think Mac may be a little disconcerted with the quality of the coaching this year.
“You go from Josh McDaniels last year to this amalgamation of Joe Judge and Matt Patricia, two guys who weren’t offensive coaches before they became head coaches, before they failed as head coaches. And now, Matt Patricia calling the plays. I have reason to believe there’s some quiet friction there that could boil over at some point.”
There’s no question that the Patriots have struggled offensively without McDaniels calling the plays. Granted, they looked like they were moving in the right direction in their Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in a game where Jones threw three interceptions.
It hasn’t helped matters that rookie backup Bailey Zappe is starting to steal headlines after knocking off the Detroit Lions and putting up a valiant effort at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers.
Belichick had a chance to pour a bucket of ice water on Zappe-mania when talking about the quarterback situation during an appearance on The Greg Hill Show, but he never vehemently proclaimed Jones as the starting quarterback.
Of course, his reasoning could be something as simple as trying to light a fire under Jones.
It’s still obviously a situation that bears watching when Belichick is finally forced to choose between his first-round draft pick and fast-rising rookie fourth-round pick that has seemingly taken the league by storm.
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