New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn’t one to say much about anything, but he is adamant about the progress second-year quarterback Mac Jones has made during this offseason.
Prior to day one of Patriots’ training camp on Tuesday morning, Belichick took time to highlightthe former No. 10 overall pick’s progress this offseason. “He’s made tremendous strides,” Belichick said. “He did a great job last year, but he’s starting from a much, much higher point this year from where he started last year. His offseason work has been significant, and I think everyone recognizes how well he prepares and how much further along he was than a year ago.”
Jones passed for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last season in a season that saw him winning the starting quarterback job over Cam Newton.
“We’re just a lot further ahead in the conversation [offensively],” Belichick said. “The plays that we talk about, or concepts we talk about, Mac has already done it before. It’s easy for him to say, ‘Are we going to do this on that? Are we going to do this on something else? What do you think about splitting them a little bit wider? Splitting them a little bit tighter.’ Suggestions like that. And we have a much better feel for what he can do, what his strengths are, and how to try to play into those. He’s self-aware, too. He knows what he does well. We want to try to feature those,” Belichick said.
There is a question on who will be leading the offense on the personnel side.
Since the departure of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge are the two heading the offense. However, neither of them will hold an official offensive coordinator title.
According to Belichick, “We’re not really big on titles and all that. It’s important that we all work together and create a good final product. That’s what we’re going to try to do. That’s what we’ve always done.”
“Look, I’m a head coach,” he said. “Ultimately I’m responsible for everything. So just leave it at that.”
The Patriots currently have a 51.1% chance to make the postseason according to ESPN FPI.
