Jonathan Jones Dishes on Pats' Tense Locker Room This Season
The 2023 season was one to forget for the Patriots organization and the fanbase. They are used to winning consistently but that wasn't the case last year. New England struggled throughout the year, logging a 4-13 record, their worst mark since 2020 when they were 7-9.
The Patriots defense was the most consistent unit on the team. They finished the year ranked seventh in total defense (301.6), 11th in passing defense (208.4), and fourth in run defense (93.2). Furthermore, they allowed 21 or fewer points in six of its losses.
On the flip side, the offense was putrid. They had a quarterback carousel with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe at the helm. They finished the year ranked 30th in total offense (276.2) and tied for 31st in scoring offense (13.9).
Divide between offense and defense in Patriots locker room was brewing, cornerback Jonathan Jones says https://t.co/BNeFI0R8Fl
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) February 14, 2024
The tension began to rise between these two units and cornerback Jonathan Jones noticed it. Jones met with Nicole Yang of the Boston Globe and gave some insight on the vibe in the locker room.
“I think the division was something you could see was starting to happen,” Jones said, "Something you never want to happen is offense versus defense, where the defense is like, ‘Well, we’re doing our job,’ because, one, that still doesn’t win us games and two, that doesn’t help the locker room.”
The defense was frustrated with the lack of production on the offensive side and that trickled into the locker room. It's always tough when one side of the ball feels like they are carrying the weight of the team but that's exactly what happened in Foxborough during the 2023 season.
And it showed on the field.
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