The New England Patriots have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. The most important, is what they are going to do at the quarterback position. They have the number 3 overall pick in the draft and this draft has many notable prospects for the team to find their franchise guy with that pick.
The team has reportedly been looking to trade their quarterback Mac Jones and they have begun to assess the trade market for Mac and what they could potentially get in return. While the front office is clearly ready to move on from Jones, many of the players do not seem to share the same view.
New England Patriots’ JuJu Smith-Schuster Backs Mac Jones
Mac Jones had his worst season on the team since he was drafted in the first round, but many of the players have been speaking out about how it was more due to the talent and system around him. One of Jones’ top receivers Juju Smith-Schuster spoke out on his behalf in a recent interview.
“Honestly, man, my boy Mac, that’s my guy,” Patriots receiver JuJu Smith Schuster said while speaking to TMZ Sports this week.
“I know at the end of the day it’s whatever the coaches decide to do. But I think Mac’s still got it.”
The blame does not fall all on Mac’s shoulders as the team had many flaws and injuries that had the team playing at such a low level. However, with the No. 3 overall pick, the there is almost sure to be an elite prospect at their pick, and the team cannot pass on that opportunity to draft a franchise guy.
Juju Smith-Schuster Is Not The Only Patriots Player To Speak Out
Stand out defensive player Matthew Judon also backed the quarterback Mac recently saying similar things about how you can’t blame Jones for all the issues the Patriots have had. Mac also had a different offensive coordinator almost each year he started in the NFL and no one can succeed with that type of turnover. The fact that Mac got worse as each season went by shows how he was impacted by the turnover. Judon was quoted giving praise about Jones this past week as well:
“When Mac was comfortable, and he had a good system, he produced and he put up numbers,” Judon told the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan.
“And when you said we scored 45-7 (versus Cleveland in 2021), Mac Jones led that team. We know he can do it. He has to find his confidence, his stride, and get a rhythm under him. And it’s going to be difficult — it’s his fourth (offensive coordinator) in four years.”
It appears as though the team is sure to draft a quarterback and move on from Mac before next season. Mac clearly got the support of numerous teammates and he deserves another opportunity in a better system without so much chaos.
Related: New England Patriots Almost Certain To Draft Quarterback with #3 Overall Pick