Hall of Famer: Mac Jones should demand trade from Patriots

Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe thinks quarterback Mac Jones should take his future into his own hands and request a trade from the New England Patriots this spring. 

"If I’m Mac Jones, stay there for what? To be belittled? I’m not winning and you’re not putting me in a situation where I can succeed," Sharpe said during an edition of the FS1 "Undisputed" program, per Ricky Doyle of NESN. "Yeah, get me up out of here." 

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has reportedly "shopped" Jones to other teams this offseason, and the quarterback's name supposedly "came up a few times" in discussions had "during the combine" and "before free agency." It's widely believed the relationship between the two was damaged because Jones allegedly contacted outsiders for assistance when the offense was struggling under assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge during the 2022 season. 

Sharpe indicated Belichick should've welcomed negative feedback from his QB1 even if Jones was merely a second-year pro at the time. 

"Mac Jones is probably voicing his concerns," Sharpe explained. "Not only to Matt Patricia. Not only to Joe Judge. And I’m sure they went back to Coach Belichick like little disciples like they should. And guess what? It’s falling on deaf ears." 

Sharpe suggested Jones likely hit a breaking point that resulted in him going "outside the building" for help even if he knew doing so would irritate Belichick.

"Bill Belichick doesn’t want to bear any culpability," Sharpe continued. "It’s you! Because you wanted to say, 'I’m a genius. I can do it all.'"

Patriots insider Tom E. Curran said back in February that team owner Robert Kraft wouldn't sign off on trading Jones before 2024, in part because Kraft may blame Belichick for why the 2021 first-round draft pick regressed after an impressive rookie season. However, it seems that at least one person associated with the Patriots is now leaking stories about Jones' status with the organization and about how some players want 2022 rookie Bailey Zappe to start. 

On Tuesday, NESN's Dakota Randall wondered if "the Patriots might be at a point of no return" with Jones following the numerous rumors that have surfaced since January. If Jones feels the same way, he and not Belichick could be the one to force a breakup before training camps open.