Patriots Rumors: Bill Belichick, Mac Jones Communication Was 'Nonexistent' by Week 18

There was speculation throughout the season that the relationship between New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones and former head coach Bill Belichick was strained, but now details have surfaced revealing just how bad things had gotten.

According to Mark Daniels of Mass Live, "the communication between Belichick and Jones was nonexistent" by the final game of the season.

Daniels noted that after Jones was benched in Week 12, Belichick "eventually stopped speaking to his quarterback" and that lack of communication "came to a head" in Week 18.

In fact, things were so untenable that if Belichick returned as head coach in 2024, it would have "all but guaranteed" that Jones wouldn't be back in New England next season. Belichick mutually parted ways with the Patriots and was replaced by Jerod Mayo, which means "the door isn't shut" from Jones continuing his career with the team.

Jones had a promising start to his career that saw him earn a selection to the Pro Bowl as an alternate during his rookie season. However, he has sharply regressed in each of the last two seasons. In 2023, he was benched three times during games before being replaced by Bailey Zappe for the remainder of the season by Week 13.

The Patriots finished last in the AFC East with a 4-13 record, its worst under Belichick. New England will have the third pick in the 2024 NFL draft, giving the team the opportunity to select one of the top quarterback prospects in this year's class. It remains to be seen if the Patriots will move on from Jones as their quarterback of the future.