Colin Cowherd expands on Patriots' 'frustration' with Mac Jones

It sure seems like sources connected to the New England Patriots want outsiders to know that quarterback Mac Jones isn't just letting the club down with his poor play this season. 

"Let me give you some inside sourcing," media personality Colin Cowherd said about Jones during Thursday's edition of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," per Adam London of NESN. "There has been frustration for over a year that he doesn’t take to coaching and especially doesn’t take to hard coaching." 

Cowherd noted that living legend Tom Brady and one-time NFL Most Valuable Player Cam Newton both "took to hard coaching" playing under Bill Belichick with the Patriots. 

"I have been told (for) over a year now (Jones) has lost some players in the room, the coaching staff," Cowherd added. "He’s bratty, he does not take to hard coaching." 

Jones reportedly annoyed Belichick by going outside the organization for coaching assistance last season, and there were rumblings throughout this past spring that some Patriots players wanted 2022 fourth-round draft pick Bailey Zappe to play over Jones. More recently, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer reported earlier this week that "it doesn’t feel like [Jones has] really taken" to Patriots coaching even after the club hired Bill O'Brien as its offensive coordinator following the 2022 campaign. 

"That’s what Belichick does," Cowherd continued. "That’s generally what stars do. They like to be hard-coached. And that’s a real problem. So, when Albert Breer says that about coaching, that’s what I have heard. I’ve heard it over and over." 

The 2-7 Patriots face the 4-5 Indianapolis Colts in Germany this Sunday before New England begins its bye. Belichick and company could use the break to get Zappe, fellow backup Will Grier or undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham ready to start in Jones' place for the Week 12 matchup at the New York Giants (2-7) on Nov. 26.