Former NFL LB: Patriots' Mac Jones has 'affluenza'

Retired NFL linebacker Channing Crowder has offered an interesting take while discussing the regression of second-year New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. 

"I heard you talking earlier [in the show] about the Mac Jones body language," Crowder said during an appearance on FS1's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" program, per Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post. "It’s called 'affluenza.' [If] you’ve been given too much, you have too much money, you’re a little different. I was around a bunch of rich dudes growing up and I played with rich guys. They just have this little demeanor and you know it gets to you. You brought up Jay Cutler. I would bring up Josh Allen in this conversation. Kyler Murray was a trust fund baby."

For those wondering, Merriam-Webster defines "affluenza" as "feelings of guilt, lack of motivation, and social isolation experienced by wealthy people." 

The 8-8 Patriots will enter their Week 18 showdown with the 12-3 Buffalo Bills possessing the conference's final wild-card playoff berth thanks to tiebreaker advantages over the 8-8 Miami Dolphins and 8-8 Pittsburgh Steelers. 

That reality doesn't erase the fact that Jones has largely disappointed fans with his play and antics during his second pro season. 

Per ESPN, the 24-year-old heads into this coming weekend ranked 29th among qualified quarterbacks with a 32.5 total QBR and 25th with an 85.8 passer rating. In 13 games, Jones has 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

Additionally, individuals such as Crowder have criticized Jones' attitude after the signal-caller went viral on several occasions thanks to in-game outbursts directed at coaches. Jones also been accused of committing multiple dirty plays since the fall of 2021. 

In a different piece, Glasspiegel pointed out that former quarterback and current analyst/radio host Boomer Esiason recently said he feels "there’s a douchiness" to how Jones expresses himself on gamedays. 

"That affluenza gets to some [people]," Crowder added while speaking with Cowherd.