In what could be Bill Belichick's final act as Patriots coach, he gave quarterback Mac Jones a sign that his time with the organization may be over as well.
Jones, 25, did not play in Sunday's final regular-season game against the Jets and serves as New England's emergency No. 3 quarterback behind starter Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke, who was waived from the Jaguars' practice squad last month. ing.
Rourke played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League in 2021 and 2022.
That ends the Patriots' decline for Jones, who was drafted No. 15 overall in 2021 and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, only to find himself likely looking for a new career just two years later.
The former University of Alabama quarterback went 10-7 as a starter in his first year, throwing for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions as the Patriots clinched a wild-card berth but… They lost to the Bills 47-17 in the first round. NFL playoffs.
Jones took a step back last season, throwing for 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 14 games while going 6-8.
He struggled even more this season and was benched after multiple starts until Belichick handed the starting reins over to Zappe on Dec. 3 against the Chargers.
Next year will be the fourth year of Jones' $15.5 million rookie contract.
The Patriots hold a fifth-year option, but it seems unlikely they will exercise it and will likely wait to see if other teams have interest in Jones during the offseason. .
Belichick won six Super Bowls as head coach of the Patriots, but his future is uncertain after New England missed the playoffs for the second straight year and third time in four years.
