Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) walks off of the field after a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
On Monday, Jerod Mayo, the head coach of the New England Patriots, hinted at the team’s current perspective on Mac Jones. It appears that the outlook for the former top pick remains uncertain as the team approaches the 2024 season. Mayo shared insights during an interview on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show, a program that will resume its regular weekly schedule when the next season commences in September.
In the interview, Mayo covered various topics, including the future of Jones and the team’s offense. One notable moment occurred when Mayo was questioned about the team’s biggest leader. His response was intriguing.
“We have a lot of guys. I would say, for a long time – I’m not sure what [Matthew] Slater’s going to do – but for a long time, he’s been a great leader in that locker room,” Mayo remarked. “We have leaders defensively. We have [Deatrich] Wise. We have [Ja’Whaun] Bentley.”
Mayo shared insights into leadership on the offensive side of the ball, emphasizing the crucial role of a quarterback’s leadership ability. Addressing Jermaine Wiggins, he expressed the importance of leadership, regardless of the quarterback, and highlighted key figures like David Andrews and Hunter Henry as great leaders on the offensive side. Mayo acknowledged the challenge of leading through tough times, noting that true leadership emerges when facing adversity. He emphasized that during difficult periods, such as losing streaks, people seek a leader to guide them through challenging moments. Mayo illustrated the contrast between rallying a team in times of success versus the resilience required when facing setbacks.
Mayo clarified that he wasn’t making a definitive statement but rather emphasizing that they are currently evaluating Mac Jones during this phase. He acknowledged the fragility of a player’s confidence and highlighted its significance, particularly with the current generation of players. As the coaching staff continues the evaluation process, Mayo emphasized the importance of confidence.
When asked whether the coaching staff might have let Jones down in terms of building his confidence, Mayo admitted to mistakes but stressed that blame should be shared. He acknowledged errors on both the offensive coaching staff’s part and Jones himself. Mayo pointed out that everyone, from special teams to defensive and offensive players, played a role in supporting Jones and trying to help him build confidence. However, he also noted that when things go wrong, blame is not confined to a specific group, as there’s enough responsibility to be distributed across the board.
Mayo shed light on the rumors surrounding the potential division within the locker room. He mentioned the challenges faced by the defense, particularly the difficulty of making adjustments after coming off the field, only to quickly return to the game. While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, Mayo admitted that it was challenging to attribute blame to a single player. He hinted at the existence of varying opinions among individuals within the team regarding their circumstances.
