Patriots QB Mac Jones addresses concerning locker room reports

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones neither confirmed nor denied multiple reports suggesting he's lost members of the locker room with the team at 2-9. 

"Yeah, I don’t really deal with the sources and things like that," Jones responded when asked about the subject during an appearance on the WEEI "Jones & Mego With Arcand" program, per Adam London of NESN. "That’s not really my thing. I put a lot of work in the offseason throughout the past three years that I’ve been here. My attitude, my effort, things that I’m going to control."

Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai insisted earlier this month that Jones "hasn't lost any of us on the team" amid a second straight disappointing season, but that was before head coach Bill Belichick benched the 2021 first-round draft pick during this past Sunday's 10-7 loss at the New York Giants. Belichick now has pulled Jones four times across 11 games this season, and it's becoming clear whispers claiming that "players have lost confidence in" the signal-caller will only grow louder as long as he keeps playing over backup Bailey Zappe.

"I’ve been with some of these guys for three years and some of these guys are rookies this year and they’re getting to know me," Jones continued during the interview. "At the end of the day, I’m going to continue to fight. I know the guys are going to do a good job of doing the same. So, whoever wants to do that, get on board. I know they’re going to continue to fight and work hard. That’s all you can ask for."

According to ESPN stats, Jones ended Week 12 ranked 28th out of 30 qualified players with a woeful 36.5 adjusted QBR on the season. He tossed 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions over 11 starts. 

It's unknown to outsiders if Jones or Zappe will get the nod when the Patriots host the 4-7 Los Angeles Chargers this coming Sunday. As of late Tuesday morning, oddschecker listed New England as a six-point underdog for that matchup.