One line from Mac Jones’ first news conference of the 2023 offseason resonated with former Patriots executive Scott Pioli.
Following last Wednesday’s organized team activities practice, Jones said he plans “to do everything I can to earn the respect of everybody in this building again” after a disappointing and dysfunctional 2022 campaign.
Jones was placed in a highly undesirable situation when head coach Bill Belichick chose to replace longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with the inexperienced duo of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, but his handling of the ensuing struggles lacked maturity and professionalism at times. The back half of the season was filled with on-field outbursts and public displays of frustration from the young quarterback that sparked criticism from several Patriots greats, including Julian Edelman and Vince Wilfork.