It didn’t have to end up this way.
In fact, if Joe Dickinson had his way, Mac Jones would’ve been long gone from New England.
The quarterback’s personal coach told NBC Sports Boston that he suggested Jones seek a trade after his first season with the Patriots — two seasons before he cratered as New England’s starter and is no longer in New England’s plans as a franchise player.
“After the first season, I saw that it was really good for Mac and I saw that his coach (Josh McDaniels) was leaving,” Dickinson said to Tom E. Curran. “And I advised Mac and his agent to go and ask for a trade. … I just said, ‘Hey, I just think it would be better for you and the Patriots if they trade you.’
Jones and McDaniels seemed like a pairing that would help carry the Patriots in the post-Tom Brady Era, with the QB guiding the team to a 10-7 mark and making the playoffs after he was taken with the 15th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
“I felt like, ‘Hey, if you really want this guy to work, you’re going to get some guys around him. You’re going to put the right guys around him helping him. And if you don’t, this is really easy, just trade him, get another guy, because that’s allowed and that’s within the rules,’ “ Dickinson said.
Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots looks on during a game against the New York Jets. Getty Images
Jones was dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart behind Nathan Rourke against the Jets. Getty ImagesInstead, McDaniel left for an ill-fated head coaching job with the Raiders and Jones languished his way to an 8-17 record over the next two seasons, marred by inconsistency, coaching turnover, a lack of receiving talent around him and perhaps some Bill Belichick sabotage.
Jones, who was benched for swaths of the 2023 season, reportedly told a Jets staffer that he appreciated how the team handled its situation with his draft classmate Zach Wilson, who has also struggled to meet his lofty expectations amid multiple benchings.
The Patriots QB may not have been receptive to the idea of a trade at the time, but likely has some second thoughts about it these days.
Mac Jones’ QB coach Joe Dickinson gave his charge some unlikely advice. NBC Sports Boston“Mac is Mac, for whatever reason,” Dickinson said. “He grew up watching Tom Brady. … And for whatever reason, he’s always been a New England Patriots fan and he wanted to be like Brady, (who) a lot of guys want to be like. The good Lord made one Tom Brady. And I think Mac wanted to be that guy. Yeah. And still does.”
Jones’ future with the Patriots is now murky as ever with the team owning a the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and possibly targeting a quarterback with that selection.
