Will Patriots trade Mac Jones? NFL insider reveals friction with Bill Belichick

Patriots QB sparring with Bill Belichick
Patriots QB sparring with Bill Belichick

Mac Jones is coming off a not-so-great sophomore season. Historically speaking, that doesn't bode well for most quarterbacks in the NFL. Could the Patriots trade their passer?

According to Dov Kleiman on Twitter, a league insider claimed that the head coach and quarterback are butting heads. Here's how insider Albert Breer put it:

"I think they would. Internally, I don't know if they see this massive gap between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. I'm not saying they think Bailey's as good as Mac, but there was some element of Bailey doing what he was coached to do last year that I think gave Bailey the edge to some degree for a little while there."

Will the Patriots trade their quarterback?

He continued, explaining that there was a difference between how No. 10 behaved compared to No. 12:

"I don't think Bill appreciated the way that Mac handled some of the stuff last year. There's a way that I think Bill thinks a franchise quarterback should conduct himself. And for the most part, Tom Brady did conduct himself that way. I think there were certain things in the way that Mac handled his second year as a pro that Bill didn't appreciate."

Mac Jones hits sophomore slump with atypical offensive coordinator

No. 10 at New Orleans Saints v New England Patriots
No. 10 at New Orleans Saints v New England Patriots

Heading into 2022, the Patriots were fresh off losing Josh McDaniels to the Las Vegas Raiders. They needed a replacement for the offensive coordinator. Instead of hiring a new face, they moved defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to offensive coordinator in a move that was one of the first of its kind.

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The move was a talking point for pundits all offseason and most believed it would fail to various degrees. Well, the Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time with Mac Jones.

In preparation for the 2023 season, the team has re-hired former Patriots assistant Bill O'Brien to head the offensive scheme. Will it work for Jones or his successor?

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If any of the above quotes are used, please credit Dov Kleiman, Albert Breer, and H/T Sportskeeda.

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