Patriots QB Mac Jones addresses locker room, trade speculation

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones publicly campaigned on Wednesday for everyone in the locker room to "be together" amid rumors and stories hovering over the 1-5 club ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. 

"I feel like that’s what’s happening and that’s important," Jones told reporters on Wednesday, according to Mark Daniels of MassLive. "Work through tough times shows a lot about people’s character and who they are. I feel like we have the right group to do it. I definitely want to face the challenge and look at it in the eyes and attack it."

Per NESN's Adam London, Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald reported last Friday that some members of the Patriots are "firmly out on" Jones and "don’t think he’s the answer." Jones said following this past Sunday's loss at the Las Vegas Raiders that he feels he has "a lot of respect from the guys," but it's since been suggested that undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham could eventually replace the struggling 2021 first-round draft pick atop the depth chart if the Patriots keep losing.

As of Wednesday afternoon, OddsChecker listed the Patriots as 8.5-point home underdogs for this Sunday's matchup against the 4-2 Buffalo Bills. Add in that New England must decide about the fifth-year option attached to Jones' rookie contract by next spring and some have speculated that the club could shop the 25-year-old as soon as next week. 

"I’m not focused on that right now, honestly," Jones responded to a question about possibly being traded before November arrives. "Just really focusing on just coming together as a team during a tough time and seeing how we respond, seeing how I respond. Definitely excited for the challenge, looking at it in the eyes and taking it head on."

Specifically, Patriots beat reporter Dakota Randall of NESN linked Jones on Wednesday with the Raiders due to the fact that the signal-caller earned a Pro Bowl nod for the 2021 season as a rookie while playing under current Las Vegas head coach and then-New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.