Patriots' Devin McCourty praises Mac Jones amid rumors

Veteran safety Devin McCourty has insisted the New England Patriots are in good hands with Mac Jones serving as their starting quarterback. 

"What I love about Mac is that Mac came into a leadership role as a quarterback and he speaks to what he thinks," McCourty said during a Monday appearance on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football," per Mike Reiss of ESPN and Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.  

Jones generated headlines this past season due to his unspectacular performances and his in-game outbursts seemingly directed toward assistant coach Matt Patricia and/or head coach Bill Belichick. It was then reported last month that Jones landed in Belichick's doghouse during the campaign for reaching out to "people" about locating fixes for New England's struggling offense. 

However, McCourty said on Monday that Belichick encourages players such as Jones and others to speak up during midweek meetings and planning sessions. 

McCourty also suggested Jones will thrive under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien.

"But I think it speaks volumes, he's a captain in that locker room, in only his second year and really was kind of a captain before as a rookie leading those guys," McCourty said of the 2021 first-round draft pick. "So, I'm excited for Mac. I think sky is the limit. I think he's the future of New England. Any doubts, I think you're wrong if you don't think that. He's in that building right now doing different things, working with guys, talking to guys, that's what he wants. So, I think Mac has all the intangibles and the things that you want in a quarterback. Hopefully, Billy O is there for a while, and I think you'll see the true growth."

It was said in January that Jones "has universal support in the locker room," and insider Tom E. Curran recently squashed rumors about the Patriots possibly trading the 24-year-old this offseason. 

Fans understandably were left wanting more from Jones' play during the fall, but it appears he remains quite popular among his teammates. 

McCourty, meanwhile, could choose to retire as soon as early next month. 

According to Zack Cox of NESN, McCourty admitted on Monday that team co-captain Matthew Slater is recruiting the 35-year-old to spend another season on the organization's active roster. 

McCourty did note, though, that he will make a "decision on what’s best for me and my family" regarding his career.  

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