Will Mac Jones start for the Patriots again? ‘Everything is on the table,’ offensive coordinator says
"We're still working through that process. When that time comes, I'm sure it will be a collaborative effort and we'll have to make decisions."
FOXBOROUGH — Mac Jones’s third season as a Patriots quarterback ended on a low note after the former first-round pick was demoted to third-string for the final game against the Jets.
But, Jones remains on the roster as of now. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said he’s already had the opportunity to speak with Jones briefly.
When asked if he could envision Jones returning as New England’s starting quarterback, Van Pelt didn’t exactly slam the door shut.
“You know, right now everything is on the table,” Van Pelt said. “As we go through this process, this last couple of weeks, ten days, has really been us diving into who we are and trying to evaluate our guys.”
“We’re trying to understand who we have here, as well as looking at other players, but right now everything is on the table,” Van Pelt added. “We’re still working through that process. When that time comes, I’m sure it will be a collaborative effort and we’ll have to make decisions.”
Van Pelt, who played nine seasons in the NFL as a quarterback before getting into coaching, said his experience as a player has equipped him with the tools to work with quarterbacks.
“Having those experiences with great coaches and then being able to go do that on the field has definitely gotten me ready to be in this position now,” Van Pelt said. “And really for the quarterback, it’s understanding what you can and can’t do and then having those experiences of being in those situations as a player. I think I have an understanding of what his strengths and weaknesses are and how to make him a better player.”
There are questions about whether the Patriots can salvage Jones’s career. He’s had two bad seasons in a row, throwing 24 touchdowns against 23 interceptions over his last 25 starts. His numbers have declined steadily across the board over the past three seasons. New England opted to go with Bailey Zappe as the starter to close out the season instead of Jones.
There are several different directions the Patriots could go in at the quarterback position. They could attempt to give Jones another shot at the starter in hopes that he could return to his 2021 form that resulted in a Pro Bowl appearance and a playoff berth. They could sign a veteran quarterback step in to bridge the gap next season. Or, they could use the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft to select a new quarterback of the future.
No matter which direction the Patriots choose, there are a few traits Van Pelt is looking for in his next quarterback:
“It just goes back to decision-making, accuracy, fundamentals, mechanics if the guy is sound. The big one again is leadership,” he said. “Was he a three-year captain? Or why wasn’t he? So, all that really plays together. The big piece for me is the leadership, the toughness, the accuracy, and the decision-making. You can switch them in either way but all four are super important.”
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