Patriots: Former Super Bowl Champ Drops 3-Word Opinion On Mac Jones’ Future

Mac Jones will be a player to watch this offseason. He just concluded the final year of his rookie deal and the New England Patriots will have to decide on whether to pick up the fifth-year option on the contract of the 15th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Considering his last season did not end well with Jones sitting out the last six games of the 2023-24 NFL season, the likelihood of the 25-year-old moving out appears imminent.

However, there is at least one person who feels that Jones could stick around former Super Bowl Champion James White.

White spoke to Karen Guregian of MassLive on the “Eye on Foxborough” podcast, believing that Jones could get one last shot with the Pats next season.

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Everybody’s saying, ‘Trade and release,’ and all that stuff. Maybe a change of scenery is possibly what he wants, which could be good for him. But I’ve been saying all along I can very well see him being on the roster,” White said.

White pointed out how the career of Jones went with the Patriots – particularly the first two seasons. The former Pats running back however cautioned that this will also hinge on what New England will do with its roster in the offseason.

“He can be a guy competing for a starting job, whether he actually wins out or not, whether they draft a rookie, whether they bring in a veteran guy. He’s had success in this league the last two years,” the 31-year-old said.

All eyes on Jerod Mayo

One thing that could work to Jones’ advantage is that the Patriots will be starting a new era with new coach Jerod Mayo. Jones could do better under his watch and under a new offensive coordinator who can guide him.

Unfortunately, that potential has gone off on the wrong foot, particularly during Mayo’s introductory press conference. Jones appeared in workout clothes at the presser since he continued to work out at Gillette Stadium. This got several people upset according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels.

The only people upset with a player showing up to a new coach’s press conference are people who are extremely loyal to the old coach.

And those people are taking shots as they head out the door. It happens. https://t.co/FwrRzS0IF7

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) January 21, 2024

“The only people upset with a player showing up to a new coach’s press conference are people who are extremely loyal to the old coach. And those people are taking shots as they head out the door. It happens,” Daniels stated.

Given these circumstances, it will be interesting how Mayo will handle the Mac Jones situation moving forward.