Patriots believe in Mac Jones; fun in Foxboro, and Chase Claypool rumors
Will Week 9 be the week that Mac Jones starts to look like the quarterback ready to make a Year 2 leap? It has certainly been an interesting sophomore season for the New England Patriots quarterback, but despite a shaky start, Mac’s teammates are behind him.
That must give Jones a jolt of confidence going forward, especially with one of his top targets, Jakobi Meyers, speaking highly of him and standing in support of his quarterback even when the crowd at Gillette Stadium was chanting for Bailey Zappe in the team’s Monday Night loss to the Chicago Bears back in Week 7.
Meyers made it know he stood behind Mac and is expressing his confidence in his quarterback moving forward. Following the team’s bounce back win against the New York Jets, Jones did some good things and while it wasn’t a stellar game, it was a game to gain some confidence from.
Patriots top receiver knows Mac Jones is the team’s best chance to win
The Patriots top receiver saw something in Mac Jones he is familiar with and knows will carry him on through the rest of the season.
"“Just resiliency. That was a good team we played last week. Even when things weren’t looking good for us, he just kept pushing. That’s what he does,” Meyers said, via MassLive.com. “No matter what anybody says, I know Mac Jones is going to be able to keep going and going and fighting until he don’t got no more left. That’s what he did.”"
Jones and the New England Patriots offense will face another good defense in Week 9 when they take on the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. All eyes will be on Mac Jones to see if he can build on the confidence players like Meyers has in him. Obviously, Jones will need to limit the turnovers and mistakes to get back to the Mac Jones he was during the early part of his rookie season.
Former Patriots defensive end addressed team’s no fun reputation
Winning is fun, which is what this season has proved for Mac Jones and the Patriots.
When the team wins, all is right in the world. When they lose, suddenly it’s not fun to play for a head coach like Bill Belichick.
That has been the case for the last two decades and while players outside of the team’s locker room view poke fun at the Patriots Way like Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson did back in 2018, players who have been there and apart of the success continue to knock down that perception.
Take Chris Long who won a Super Bowl with the team in 2016. Also, a teammate of Johnson, Long set the record straight in an interview with NBC Sports’ Tom Curran.
"“Lane opened his mouth,” Long said. “…Lane got walked into that and it just stuck. And of course, everybody was like, ‘Oh, Lane is best buddies with Chris. Chris is on the one who said it.’ That always bothered the hell out of me, because all I’ve ever said is positives about New England and my teammates there.“We did have fun. I put on a Jules (Julian Edelman) mask. We were drunk as hell at the parade. We would enjoy the plane rides. Bill would let us sit in first class, which was awesome. Other coaches never did that and always complained about that.”"
While Johnson never played in New England, there were/are a few players out there who didn’t enjoy their time in Foxborough like Cassius Marsh and Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore. But, it seems when players buy in and are successful it is very fun to play for a coach like Belichick.
NFL rumors: Patriots were in on Chase Claypool
The New England Patriots were quiet at the NFL Trade Deadline, but as usual, reports are surfacing on all the players the Patriots may have been in on like former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool.
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According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, the Patriots showed interest in Claypool who was traded to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 second-round pick.
"“I think based upon the way this all feel together yesterday (Nov. 1)…I think the Patriots were in it up until the end, I do,” Florio said. I have reason to believe that the Patriots were in it up until the very end.”"
While Bill Belichick will never confirm or deny these rumblings, the Patriots coach has praised the big receiver so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the team had some interest. Would it have been worth giving up a second-round pick?
Next. New England Patriots: Week 9 not so bold prediction vs Colts. dark
At just 24 years old, a player like Claypool would’ve been worth it if he bought in. The talent is there, and the size is there. He would’ve been a great target for Mac Jones. That type of deal would’ve created some more buzz in New England heading into the second half of the season.