Bert Breer of The MMQB joins Zolak and Bertrand in studio for his weekly stint to discuss all things Patriots. Bert weighs in on the supposed “QB controversy” between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, Mac’s decision not to get surgery and the reported spat between Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft at the Owner’s Meetings
Was Mac Jones advised by Hurts and Tua not to get surgery?
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots is helped off the field during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Well, if you saved yourself from being cut open and having to go through all of that and the risk that comes along with some of that stuff and the experience that Jalen Hurts had and the experience that Tua Tagovailoa had scared you a little bit. Then the extra week is worth it to avoid the surgery, even if it wasn’t this week. So, I think Mac probably did the right thing for himself in avoiding that surgery.
It’s a relatively new surgery. It’s got it’s archaic in its methodology. And I don’t think the other Alabama quarterbacks advised Mac to do it. I don’t think it would have been something that Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa would have advised.
Could Mac get benched even after he returns from injury?
Patriots QB #4 Bailey Zappe gets a tap on the helmet from head coach Bill Belichick after he ran the ball in the 4th to set up a Patriot field goal. (Syndication: Providence Journal)
I think the injury gives Bill the out to yank Mac if he wants to. If there’s any element of “we don’t think he’s playing the way we want him to”, the injury gives you the out where it’s not a benching. It does give you the out where if he doesn’t play well then you have to confront what’s best for the team right now versus is this going to create a monster. There are things to like with Zappe. I feel like the Detroit game in a lot of ways was controlled and gamed up for him to succeed and the Lions assisted in that. There were things that you saw from Zappe in this game that were beyond just setting it up for him. And that’s why I made the Case Keenum comparison, because I think there’s similarities there. I think Case Keenum is a decent comp. If this guy has Case Keenum’s career as a fourth round pick. That’s a pretty big win.
Why did Jerry Jones tell Kraft not to f*** with him?
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 09: Owner Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys looks on before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 09, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
I don’t think Jerry and Robert hate each other, but I don’t think the relationship is where it used to be. I think Jerry actually sort of mentored Robert a little bit when Robert came into the league and they were really, really close for a long time. And for one reason or another, I don’t think that that relationship is where it once was and that doesn’t mean they’re enemies or anything like that. But I think they were very close at one point. I’m not sure they are. There could be some natural reasons why there is friction between because they are two of the most powerful owners in the league. The reason why there could be like some natural jealousy is that these guys are competing legacy-wise. There’s natural reasons for each guy to be jealous of the other. Jerry’s in the Hall of Fame, Robert isn’t. Robert has a six titles. Jerry only has three. And Robert’s obviously been more consistently successful on the field. So you could see where there be competitive tension there potentially. But again, I don’t think they hate each other, but I do think their relationship isn’t where it once was.
