Ted Johnson: Mac Jones is still showing signs of trauma
On Zolak & Bertrand, Ted Johnson noticed one thing about Mac Jones’ recruiting pitch comments for the Patriots and it was trauma from last year.
![Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) speaks to the media at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/07/USATSI_20880323-copy.jpg)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)
It goes back to last season…
Hardy: By the way, something I didn’t really pick up on a lot yesterday, but it really struck me this time. It’s like maybe one day… is he already thinking about his post-playing coaching career? I can’t wait to be a GM and not have to like practice and be held accountable for my play on the field.
Scott Zolak: You know what? That’s a good point. You bring that up like, that still tells you like he doesn’t feel like that, not that it’s not his team. I don’t know how to put it into terms that I don’t have the ability to speak to that yet because I don’t feel like I’m there yet. When you’re in year three and you’re the first round pick from three years ago, you’ve got to be the guy this year. That’s why we talked about that answer yesterday, that he had a chance to say, okay, why is it a destination to come here. because I’m going to be good. We’re going to be good on offense this year. Billy O’s back. We’re working with him. We picked up Juju, We got Gesicki. I’m excited to be out here with them. Our defense is bangin. And you get to play for coach.
Ted Johnson: Why do you think he’s not talking more?
Scott Zolak: Because I think they got him walking on eggshells. I played for Bill. You played for Bill? I mean, I didn’t play for Bill as a head coach, but under Parcells and him and Romeo and Charlie, they make life difficult for you. It’s it’s a tough place to play. They’re tough coaches to play for. They demand perfection. And you walk on eggshells. I did. I still have nightmares about Parcells. We laugh about the stories, but like, I’d come in back doors because I didn’t wanna see him, you know? I think Mac feels a little that way because of what he went through last year from a systematic standpoint offensively and then how the post-injury stuff was handled.
Ted Johnson: Do you want him to talk with more authorit, more confidence, more swag? I was listening to yesterday and I hear you, bro.
Scott Zolak: He doesn’t feel ike he’s a guy like that. But what do you think, though?
Ted Johnson: Do you think the head coach behaves in a way around him that makes him feel like he should be the guy? Like, you know, do you think Bill empowers him? Do you think Bill goes and cultivates and says, hey, I want you to take over, hey I want you to be the guy? I think last year traumatized him. There’s going to be a residual effect from what happened last year. And you’re hearing it in Mac Jones’ voice right now. He’s still tentative. He doesn’t take the bull by the horns. Him and Bill they’re just not there yet.
![New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones throws a pass 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)](https://985thesportshub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/88/2023/06/USATSI_20878618-copy.jpg)
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones throws a pass 2023 minicamp in Foxboro. (Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports)