It didn’t have to end like this.
In fact, if Joe Dickinson had had his way, Mac Jones would have left New England a long time ago.
The quarterback’s personal coach told NBC Sports Boston that he suggested Jones seek a trade after his first season with the Patriots. Jones was New England’s starter two seasons ago and is no longer in New England’s plans as a franchise player.
“After the first season, we knew things were going really well for Mack and we knew his coach (Josh McDaniels) was leaving,” Dickinson said. Told Tom E. Curran:. “And I advised Mack and his agent to go ask for a trade. … I just said, ‘Hey, I think it would be better for you and the Patriots to trade you.’
Jones and McDaniels looked like the duo to lead the Patriots in the post-Tom Brady era. The QB was the 15th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and led the team to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth. .
“I felt like, ‘If you really want this person to work, you should get some guys around him.’ You’re going to put the right people around him to help him. Then this is very easy, just trade him and get another guy because that’s allowed and within the rules,” Dickinson said.
Instead, McDaniel took an ill-fated head coaching job with the Raiders, and Jones went 8-17 over the next two seasons due to inconsistency, coaching changes, lack of receiving talent around him, and perhaps the Bills. He struggled to improve until he lost. Belichick’s sabotage.
Jones, who was benched for part of the 2023 season, reportedly told the Jets’ staff that he appreciated the way the team handled the situation with fellow draftee Zach Wilson. That’s what it means. Wilson also struggled to live up to high expectations as he was benched many times.
The Patriots QB may not have entertained the idea of a trade at the time, but he’s likely having second thoughts about it these days.
“For whatever reason, Mac is Mac,” Dickinson said. “He grew up watching Tom Brady. … And for some reason, he’s always been a New England Patriots fan and wanted to be like Brady, which a lot of people want to be. The good Lord created a Tom Brady, and I think that’s the kind of guy Mack wanted to be too. Yeah. And still is.”
Jones’ future with the Patriots remains uncertain, as the team owns the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could target a quarterback with that pick.
