Elliott takes firm stance on Jones after Patriots QB's benching

New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Ezekiel Elliott takes firm stance on Mac Jones after Patriots QB's benching

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 10/7/23

Mac Jones's standing as the long-term answer at quarterback for the New England Patriots took a substantial hit in Week 4. Jones, a first-round pick in 2021, accounted for three turnovers before being benched in New England's 38-3 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Through four weeks of play, the Alabama product has completed a career-worst 63.7% of his passes for five touchdowns and four interceptions. While New England's roster is littered with deficiencies — namely at wideout and on the offensive line — Jones's struggles have been a defining reason for the Patriots' 1-3 start to the season.

I will give Mac Jones one thing:

The Patriots have by far the worst offensive line in football.

Mac Jones is getting pressured on 53% of dropbacks, which is not sustainable.

Something needs to change.
— Savage (@SavageSports_) October 4, 2023

Since Jones's benching on Sunday, naysayers have rigorously picked apart his viability as an NFL starting quarterback. Nevertheless, Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott is standing firmly behind his QB1.

“I have no worries about Mac,” Elliott told reporters on Wednesday. “I know he’ll get it together. He’s very assertive, he’s been good this week.”

Whether the Patriots want to admit it or not, Jones is not the type of quarterback who can single-handedly make an offense go. He's not Tom Brady. He's not Patrick Mahomes. Yet for whatever reason, the team continues to burden the young quarterback with unnecessary pressure.

.@danorlovsky7 says he's putting a "significant amount" of blame on Bill Belichick for Mac Jones' regression. pic.twitter.com/cVhAyZxiW1
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 5, 2023

Despite not playing a single snap in the fourth quarter against Dallas, Jones still ranks fifth in the NFL with 146 pass attempts this season. Meanwhile, Kendrick Bourne is the lone Patriots wide receiver with a receiving touchdown over the first four games.

As for Elliott and 2022 1,000-yard rusher Rhamondre Stevenson, the duo has combined for just 94 carries on the season while the team ranks 19th in the NFL with 110 rushing attempts.

Ultimately, the jury is still out on Jones. However, the Patriots have not done him many favors — from personnel to game planning. If New England hopes to salvage the season, it must accept that operating as a pass-happy offense within its current construction is a fast track to mediocrity.

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