Chris Simms believes Mac Jones was in Bill Belichick’s “doghouse” this past season.

As the Patriots transitioned from Josh McDaniels to Matt Patricia calling plays, Jones’ production fell off. The team went from 10-7 and a postseason berth in 2021 to 9-8 – and 6-8 in games started by Jones.

Simms joined “Zo and Bertrand” on 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston at radio row in Phoenix on Tuesday and explained his understanding of what happened between Jones and Belichick.

“There was frustration [on Jones’ part], for sure. There was a little bit of, ‘Wait, what are we doing? What’s going on?'” Simms said, as covered by NBC Sports Boston.

“I do think he was a little bit in the proverbial ‘doghouse’ with Belichick a little bit, because I was told that he was calling around and trying to ask, ‘Hey, we need some ideas for the offense.’ And word got back to Bill and that was why he was in the doghouse a little bit.”

Simms said that Jones called people at his alma mater, Alabama, asking for advice on how to get the offense moving better. Simms did not know specify whether that included Bill O’Brien, who was the offensive coordinator of the Crimson Tide and was hired for that same position with the Patriots next season.

Jones also drew considerable criticism this past season for his body language when things were breaking down. Boomer Esiason characterized his demeanor as “douchiness.”