Mac Jones preparing for next role with uncertain future

Mac Jones may or may not be back with the Patriots. It might depend on whether Bill Belichick sticks in New England. Or, the decision might have been made no matter who the head coach may be.

This is how far Jones’ career has fallen in just one season. The former Alabama star and 2021 first-round draft pick kicked off the season as QB1. He was full of confidence and passion that this new Patriots offense coordinated by Bill O’Brien, the former Crimson Tide OC, would be the key to his success.

Yet, as the lowly Patriots were losing to the equally lowly Jets, 17-3, Jones was third-string quarterback. Bailey Zappe, the starter, took over at quarterback in week 13. And Nathan Rourke, an NFL rookie who spent two years in the CFL, backed up Zappe. Jones had sunk so far that he was the emergency quarterback.

Jones still has a year remaining on his rookie contract, so there’s a chance he’ll remain with the Patriots. Meanwhile, Belichick started meeting with Robert Kraft, the team owner, on Monday. He conducted some exit interviews with players and then he gave his coaching staff the next two weeks off. There is lots of chatter that he’s coached his final game in New England.

Meanwhile, the Patriots easily could select one of the top quarterbacks available in April’s NFL Draft. New England picks No. 3. One of the knocks on Belichick is he hasn’t developed a quarterback since Tom Brady left after the 2019 season. The Patriots made the playoffs one time since Brady left.

So what to do with Jones? The quarterback said he’d like to remain in Foxboro.

“I have a lot of respect for Mr. Kraft and his family and what they’ve built here and the Patriots,” Jones told reporters. “At the end of the day, a lot of that is out of my control, but I hope they realize that I’m going to compete and I’m going to do that wherever I’m at on any NFL team whether it’s here or somewhere else.”

With Zappe controlling the offense, Jones missed the final six games of the season. But he said he used that time to work on his body and his mental game.

“I feel like I’ve made progress these past couple weeks,” the former Patriots starter said. “I’ve been here early, left late. A lot of people would have just said I’m done and I’m not going to do that.

“I’ve worked out hard and put on 7-8 pounds of muscle in the last couple of weeks here. That’s where I’m at right now, and that’s why I’m looking forward to the next opportunity. I know it’s going to come, but as a quarterback and competitor you’ve got to be ready right? So, I’m going to be ready.”