Mac Jones didn’t hold back when reflecting on his time in New England - and he did it with a smile and a sharp one-liner.
During a recent appearance on NFL Network’s The Insiders, Jones was asked about Josh McDaniels’ departure from the Patriots after the 2021 season. Without missing a beat, the former first-round pick quipped, “Yeah, thanks, Josh,” drawing laughs and nods from the panel. It was a light-hearted jab, but it echoed a sentiment many Patriots fans have wondered about for a while now: what if McDaniels had stayed?
Let’s rewind the clock to 2021. Jones, fresh off being selected 15th overall, stepped into one of the most demanding quarterback gigs in the NFL - replacing Tom Brady just a season removed from his departure.
But under McDaniels’ guidance, Jones looked poised beyond his years. He threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions - not earth-shattering numbers, but more than respectable for a rookie quarterback in a complex system.
He even earned a Pro Bowl nod, and the Patriots made it back to the playoffs. It felt like a foundation was being laid.
Then McDaniels left for the head coaching job in Las Vegas, and that foundation started to crack.
What followed was a series of puzzling decisions from Bill Belichick’s staff, the most notable being the appointment of Matt Patricia - a defensive mind by trade - as the offensive play-caller. The results were, to put it mildly, chaotic.
The offense lacked rhythm, Jones’ development stalled, and the promise of his rookie season began to fade into frustration. The numbers dipped, the wins were harder to come by, and the confidence that once defined Jones’ game seemed to waver.
So when Jones jokingly thanked McDaniels for leaving, there was more than a little truth behind the humor. It was a moment of levity, sure, but also a reminder of how quickly things can shift in the NFL - especially for young quarterbacks trying to find their footing.
Would things have turned out differently if McDaniels had stayed? It’s a fair question.
Continuity is often underrated in quarterback development, and Jones had it - briefly - before the reset button was hit. Maybe with McDaniels still calling plays, Jones could’ve built on that strong rookie campaign.
Maybe the Patriots could’ve found more stability on offense. But as is often the case in football, we’re left with hypotheticals.
For now, Jones is moving forward, and so are the Patriots. But that one-liner? It’ll stick around - a funny, pointed reminder of a pivotal “what if” in recent NFL history.