Bill O'Brien Says Mac Jones Isn't 'the No. 1 Guy to Blame' for Patriots' Struggles

Bill O'Brien is not allowing fans to place the entire blame on Mac Jones.

The New England Patriots offensive coordinator thrust the majority of the responsbility for the team's offensive struggles on himself during Tuesday's meeting with reporters.

"Things haven't gone great for him this year," O'Brien said. "I don't think that he's the No. 1 guy to blame. If you want to blame anyone, blame me. I'm the one who designs it, and it's not going very well."

If we're looking to cast blame for the Patriots' struggles, the lion's share falls on Belichick. He drafted Jones. He hired O'Brien. Even if Jones and O'Brien were the two biggest detriments to New England's on-field success this season, Belichick holds the responsibility for bringing them into the fold.

Belichick likewise carries the blame for the Patriots' dreadful receiving corps, shaky offensive line and middling secondary.

The biggest problem for coaches in being able to pick out their roster is the fact they have no one but themselves when things go awry. Belichick has quietly been one of the NFL's worst drafters for the better part of a decade. Tom Brady propped up shaky offenses late in his New England tenure, and now there is no one left to paper over the shortcomings.

Make no mistake, there may be no NFL coach who could win with Jones at quarterback. He's somehow reckless with the ball despite throwing few deep balls, and he's stagnant in the pocket in an era where quarterback mobility is a must. O'Brien hasn't done him many favors with the scheme, either, but it's ultimately the person in charge who carries most of the responsibility.

If Belichick did not have two decades of equity built up in New England, he likely would be already out the door. The Patriots will almost certainly allow Belichick to finish out this season, but it would not be a surprise if major changes happened in the offseason.