​Mac Jones Reveals True Blame for Failures with the Patriots, originally published on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by tapping here. There was a moment when Jones looked like he could be the New England Patriots’ next franchise quarterback. But instead of building on a promising rookie season, his path has wound through stops with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Francisco 49ers. Jones has fared reasonably well, emerging as one of the NFL’s top backup quarterbacks and a frequently discussed name in trade talks during quarterback moves. He’s also positioned to hit free agency after the 2026 season and could command a sizable deal this coming offseason. The Patriots, for their part, have managed to regain traction by landing Drake Maye and reaching the Super Bowl last season, suggesting that, in some sense, everything has ended up working out for the organization.
Recently, however, Jones took the opportunity to discuss his experiences in New England. He joined the popular Bussin’ with the Boys podcast this week and laid out his feelings in candid fashion. A central thread, he said, traced back to Josh McDaniels’ departure. “Josh McDaniels ended up leaving,” Jones began. “That was kind of step one. Thanks, Josh. He obviously coached us and got that chance to be head coach again, and that’s what he wanted to do. And good for him. But I think that really affected me because I felt like if I could have just built on the year before, it would have really helped me and everybody on the team.”
That sentiment is understandable. Young quarterbacks often struggle when their teams undergo coaching changes, as it can disrupt the development path and the sense of stability required to grow at the NFL level while adjusting to the league’s speed and complexity. Jones experienced a coaching carousel during his time in New England, with McDaniels serving as his offensive coordinator in year one, followed by Matt Patricia in year two and Bill O’Brien in year three. One wonders how different the trajectory might have been if three years of McDaniels’ influence had persisted—how the butterfly effect could have touched Jones, the Patriots, and Maye in unforeseen ways.
As for the broader landscape, Jones remains a notable figure in NFL circles, continuing to be evaluated for his potential and value as a quarterback. The conversation about his career, particularly in the context of New England’s evolving quarterback plans, continues to reflect the realities of a league where coaching stability and developmental continuity can significantly shape a player’s path.