Patriots' Bill Belichick expecting 'big strides' from Mac Jones?

It sounds like New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick believes quarterback Mac Jones should take significant steps in the right direction this season working with new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien. 

"I think you always see big strides from players going from year 1 to year 2 and year 2 to year 3, just a year in professional football and knowing how to train, knowing what their schedule's going to be, having an idea of what you're playing across from on the other side of the ball," Belichick explained during a Wednesday appearance on the NFL Network "Inside Training Camp Live" program. "That's pretty obvious. I would say the guys in that fourth, fifth, sixth year that really also start to make gains, we have a lot of guys like that." 

A 2021 first-round draft pick, Jones earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie when current Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels was his offensive coordinator. The 24-year-old then struggled last season playing under offensive assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge and also failed to hide his displeasure regarding coaching decisions throughout the campaign. 

It may never be known if Belichick truly shopped Jones to other teams this offseason, but the signal-caller insisted recently he and his coach are "good" amid "a fresh start" that includes O'Brien looking to get the best out of New England's QB1. Per ESPN stats, Jones finished the 2022 season ranked 28th among eligible players with a 36.1 adjusted QBR, and he tossed 14 touchdown passes with 11 interceptions across 14 games. 

By early May 2024, the Patriots must decide about the fifth-year option attached to Jones' rookie contract that could keep him with the club through at least the 2025 season. Assuming reports about Belichick possibly being on the hot seat by January are accurate, New England's quarterback situation could be fascinating to follow over the next five months for multiple reasons.