Skip Bayless, the outspoken sports commentator, made a bold claim about the dynamics between New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick and rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
After the departure of the NFL GOAT Tom Brady, the Patriots expected the young player Mac Jones to continue Brady’s legacy after spending a 2021 first-round pick on him and the second-year QB also showcased promising performance during his rookie season with the team, albeit Jone’s last season with the team has not been quite remarkable.
What did Skip Bayless say about the Patriots shopping Mac Jones?
Popular American sports columnist Skip Bayless discussed the possibility of the Patriots trading their young star Mac Jones on FS1’s “Undisputed” on Wednesday morning citing heartache for the 24-year-old QB as according to him, the Patriots are always looking for ‘better’ due to the standards previously set by three-time NFL MVP Brady during his two decades with them.
“I do feel sorry for Mac Jones, but I also first guess this. Ahead of that draft, you liked him a little more than I liked him. I didn’t dislike him, but I said that Mac Jones would prove to be in pro football. Not bad. That especially in New England, when you’re trying to replace that guy”, he said.
Bayless included former Patriots QB Cam Newton in the discussion stating the 33-year-old tried his best to shine in the post-Tom Brady era, albeit the former first overall draft pick by the Carolina Panthers and one-time league MVP lost the starting job to rookie Mac Jones.
“Even though Cam did the best that he was the actual first in line. And I thought Cam stood up to it pretty well to replace that guy in New England in Foxborough”, he added.
The 71-year-old commenter later stated Brady spoiled the Patriots coach by being “GOAT” as the Patriots coach Belichick can not keep the patience to wait for a QB to explore his capabilities and improve athleticism.
.@RealSkipBayless reacts to reports of Bill Belichick shopping Mac Jones this offseason: pic.twitter.com/EEvYveSuaB
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) April 5, 2023
“But here came Mac Jones, and he did pretty well in that first year detailed. And yet I said before his draft, he’ll always leave you wanting just a little bit more because you’re spoiled rotten because you had the goat playing for you for 20 years”, Bayless further stated.
According to Pro Football Talk, Belichick tried to trade Jones to at least four teams this offseason including Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Washington Commanders, and Las Vegas Raiders.
As the NFL offseason progresses and the Patriots’ training camp approaches, all eyes will be on Belichick’s moves regarding Jones and the team’s quarterback situation. Whether or not Brady’s legacy plays a role in Belichick’s decision-making remains to be seen, however, one thing is for sure – the debate around this topic is far from over.
