Mac Jones is exhibiting some frustration in his second year as Patriots quarterback. It appears the source of that frustration can be traced to de facto offensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
That was fairly evident in New England’s “Monday Night Football” game vs. the Cardinals. ESPN cameras caught the second-year signal-caller dropping a hot-mic F bomb after being forced into a timeout right out of halftime. Shortly after, he was seen waving off Patricia as he headed back onto the field.
Warning: explicit language used.
Agreed pic.twitter.com/f2KubI60L4
— Dana Beers (@danabeers) December 13, 2022
Mac Jones waving off Matt Patricia a few seconds after dropping a hot-mic F-bomb on #MNF is the perfect way to sum up this #Patriots season. pic.twitter.com/eDQa2t2rEJ
— Austin Bumpus (@AustinBumpus) December 13, 2022
MORE: Patriots vs. Cardinals live score, results, highlights from NFL ‘Monday Night Football’ game
Jones had completed 14 of 21 passes (66.7 percent) for 123 yards and an interception.
But, how his passes were completed is notable, and possibly a source of Jones’ frustration.
Mac Jones attempted 21 passes in the first half. Per the NFL’s official charting, 10 of them were to targets at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Just six traveled 10+ yards downfield, and only the late Hunter Henry completion went 15+.
As Vance Joseph said: “Tons of screens.”
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) December 13, 2022
Regardless, Jones’ outburst is just the latest between the quarterback and Patricia, whose official position is senior football advisor/offensive line coach.
In a “Thursday Night Football” loss to the Bills, Jones was seen disparaging the play-calling, yelling “throw the f—ing ball” before adding, “f—ing quick game sucks.”
Mac Jones to Matt Patricia:
THROW THE F*CKING BALL
F*CKING RUN GAME SUCKSpic.twitter.com/EhtEDkQr9F
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 2, 2022
Jones later dismissed it as “emotion coming out” and was seen high-fiving Patricia, but it’s clear he and Patricia have not been on the same page in terms of play-calling this season.
#Patriots QB Mac Jones on his visible frustration in tonight’s game: “This is an emotional game and everyone feeds off emotion. And I think at times we’re too flat.” pic.twitter.com/ouni5f0dvJ
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) December 13, 2022
It remains to be seen how Jones, Patricia and head coach Bill Belichick handle the controversy moving forward. But the more Jones expresses frustration with the offensive philosophy, the bigger storyline it will become.
