New England Patriots: Mac Jones lacks escapability, which is a problem
The New England Patriots missed the playoffs in 2022 by one game and second-year quarterback Mac Jones was an issue. In 2023, Jones has to prove he is the quarterback of the future or fall back for someone better.
Jones had an up-and-down first two seasons. His rookie season was top-notch. He led the team to the playoffs. His second was poor and the team missed the playoffs by a game.
The 2023 season will be pivotal for the young quarterback. he has to prove himself all over again. He’ll have competition from Bailey Zappe and maybe if the team is savvy, from another quarterback either drafted or acquired by trade.
Jones needs to step up and claim the top spot or fade away. Alternatively, he could be traded. And that may or may not be a good outcome for the New England Patriots.
New England Patriots QB Mac Jones lacks escapability
One major factor in Jones’ repertoire is flawed, and it may make all the difference. That is his “escapability”, his ability to escape pressure in the pocket and complete passes. It’s as essential to an NFL quarterback as a good throwing arm.
If Jones has a foible that could derail his career, inescapability is it. Jones was in better shape in 2022 than in his rookie season in 2021. Yet, he still couldn’t move well enough in the pocket or scramble (to use an anachronistic term) to create enough space to complete passes.
That’s a huge problem. There have been relatively immobile quarterbacks in the past who have achieved greatness. Count among them the greatest of them all, Tom Brady, and his one-time nemesis, Peyton Manning.
Neither Hall of Fame to-be talents were very “mobile”, yet, they possessed that intangible, escapability that could overcome that deficiency.
The 2023 NFL is clearly tilted toward mobility in its quarterbacks. The two most recent Super Bowl QBs were Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts. Both are dual-threats and mobile. Both possess escapability. So, what about Jones?
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If you lack escapability, you will fail in the 2023 NFL unless you have a great offensive line and others delivering a clean pocket on virtually every play. At present, the New England Patriots do not have that characteristic in place to help Jones.
While they actually could provide it, they don’t often have the perspicacity necessary to remedy a deficiency in the offseason. So what should the Patriots do?
One option is to trade Mac Jones. One possible destination is the Las Vegas Raiders, now coached by his former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Why does this make sense?
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First, McDaniels just jettisoned his quarterback, Derek Carr. McDaniels got the best out of Jones as a rookie. That’s not an easy accomplishment.
McDaniels unlike Belichick will likely also put together the necessary pieces to help Jones succeed. Jones may actually welcome a trip out of Foxborough after his disappointing second season. Out would go Jones and New England’s No. 14 pick in the first round.
For the Patriots, the gain is in draft position. They have to get Las Vegas No. seven pick in the first round which should deliver super offensive tackle, Paris Johnson of Ohio State. They may even be able to pick up an additional middle-round depth pick in the bargain.
While it may make sense for both Jones and the New England Patriots if he gets a new start elsewhere, none of that is likely to eventuate. The investment in Jones was major.
Now, having Bill O’Brien to coach him, Jones will almost certainly be kept on for short money for at least one more season, his third on a potential five-year rookie contract.
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The issue of escapability in the pocket will remain. Clean every pocket for him and Jones with some solid receiving options added should perform well or even really well. Absent that, expect more of the same mediocrity for the New England Patriots.
Escapability in a quarterback is essential. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that Mac Jones will ever develop that ability. It is what it is. We’ll see.