When assessing the tumultuous tenure of quarterback Mac Jones with the New England Patriots, former teammate and Patriots running back Damien Harris points to a singular cause: Head coach Bill Belichick’s inflexible approach. Harris, whose stint with the Patriots spanned from 2019 to 2022, shed light on this issue during an appearance on “The Athletic Football Show.”
According to Harris, the downfall of Mac Jones in New England wasn’t due to a lack of skill or effort on the part of the quarterback. “What happened to Mac Jones in New England was not because of Mac Jones,” Harris remarked, as reported by Sporting News. This statement encapsulates the sentiment that the coaching changes and strategic decisions made under Belichick’s watch were misaligned with nurturing Jones’ burgeoning NFL career.
The Coaching Carousel and Its Impact On Mac Jones
The crux of the problem, Harris explains, was the disruptive overhaul in coaching personnel, particularly in offensive coordination. Following a promising rookie season under the guidance of then-offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Jones faced a new reality. McDaniels departed to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and his successors—Matt Patricia and Joe Judge—lacked the offensive coaching background that McDaniels brought to the table.
“Then you take Matt Patricia who’s coached defense his entire life. Joe Judge who’s been a special teams coach… and then you just throw them in there and say, ‘Hey, coach this kid up. He’s a first-round pick, but as long as you teach him what I say, everything gonna be fine,’” Harris detailed. This significant shift, he suggests, contributed to the stunted development and eventual departure of Jones from the team.
Bill Belichick’s Legacy and Stubbornness
Harris also touched upon Belichick’s overarching philosophy, hinting that it might have been a double-edged sword. “The only reason that it did was because Bill Belichick, being stuck in his ways, was very much so ‘As long as I am here. As long as I am, along with Robert Kraft, the top dog at this organization, no matter who, no matter where, what position, where they coach, whatever, we will have success,'” he stated. This rigid mindset, while instrumental in the Patriots’ past triumphs, perhaps did not adapt well to the evolving dynamics of NFL team management and player development.
The Aftermath and Reflection
The narrative of Mac Jones’ departure and Belichick’s own exit from the Patriots after 24 seasons—marked by six Super Bowl victories—paints a complex picture of legacy and adaptation in professional sports. As Harris now moves forward with the Buffalo Bills and Belichick prepares for new ventures, including an appearance on Omaha Productions’ “ManningCast,” the sports world watches and learns from these unfolding chapters.
Reflecting on the entire scenario, Harris offered a candid take on the mismanagement he perceived, suggesting that the events leading to Jones’ exit could serve as a cautionary tale of how rigid strategies and misaligned coaching assignments can derail promising talent.
This saga of strategic missteps and its repercussions offers a profound lesson on the importance of adaptability and player-centric coaching in the fast-paced world of the NFL. As the Patriots and Mac Jones move on to new beginnings, the lessons from their shared past will likely resonate in their future endeavours.
Source- Nypost
