Picture this: a talented quarterback, once a college sensation, gets picked high in the NFL draft but struggles to find his footing in his first pro team—only to explode onto the scene with a new squad, leaving fans and experts buzzing about what went wrong before. That's the gripping tale of Mac Jones, and it's got everyone talking about coaching, circumstances, and second chances in the world of football. But here's where it gets controversial: is it fair to pin the blame on the coaching staff, or are there deeper issues at play? Stick around, because this story reveals layers most people overlook, and it might just change how you view quarterback development.
Mac Jones has been nothing short of spectacular so far this season, going undefeated in his first three starts as the San Francisco 49ers' primary quarterback. You can check out the 49ers' team page for more on their journey. His performance has even drawn high praise from head coach Kyle Shanahan, who highlighted Jones' standout role in a recent victory. And get this—Jones' former college mentor, the legendary Nick Saban, is beaming with pride over his former player's success. Saban, the mastermind behind Alabama's powerhouse program, had always envisioned this kind of breakout for Jones ever since the New England Patriots selected him 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. For those new to football lingo, the NFL Draft is like an annual talent show where teams pick players to join their rosters, and being chosen that early means big expectations.
But according to Saban, Jones never got the chance to thrive in New England because he wasn't placed in the right environment to succeed. In a recent chat on 'The Pat McAfee Show'—you can watch the full episode on YouTube—Saban opened up about it. 'I'm so happy for Mac,' he said. 'I think Mac was one of those guys who was in bad situations in New England relative to coaching and all that type of stuff, and who was the offensive coordinator, and how did he get developed when he came into the league. He hasn't been in great circumstances. I think, right now, he is in a really good circumstance with Shanahan and their offense.' For beginners, an offensive coordinator is like the play-caller for the team's attacking strategies, deciding how to move the ball down the field. Saban's point? The setup in New England just wasn't conducive to Jones' growth, and now, with the 49ers, he's flourishing.
And this is the part most people miss: Jones' struggles in New England played a big role in the end of an era. His underperformance was the last straw for legendary coach Bill Belichick, who stepped away from the Patriots after an incredible 24 seasons in January 2024. The split, driven by owner Robert Kraft and Belichick himself, followed a dismal 2023 campaign where the Patriots finished 4-13, dead last in the AFC East, and missed the playoffs for the third time in four years. That's a huge deal in the NFL, where playoff appearances are the ultimate goal for building legacies.
Let's break down Jones' numbers to see the contrast. As a rookie in 2021, he set personal highs with 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions—impressive stats for a first-year player. But in his final two seasons as the Patriots' starter under Belichick, things tanked. The offense sputtered after Belichick handed over play-calling duties to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge in 2022, following Josh McDaniels' departure as offensive coordinator. Over 2022 and 2023, Jones managed just 24 touchdown passes in total, matched with 23 interceptions, and his Quarterback Rating (QBR for short)—a metric that combines passing efficiency, touchdowns, and turnovers into a score out of 100—was among the lowest in the league. If you're new to this, QBR is like a report card for quarterbacks; a high score means you're doing great at avoiding mistakes and making plays, while a low one signals trouble.
Fast-forward to this offseason, and Jones inked a two-year contract with the 49ers to serve as the main backup to star quarterback Brock Purdy. In a thrilling overtime victory against the Los Angeles Rams last week, Jones stepped up big time, tossing two touchdown passes. Coach Shanahan couldn't stop raving about him, saying, 'He played his ass off, man. He was unbelievable in the first half. Got banged up a little bit there in the second half and battled through it. He protected the ball going against that defense and throwing the ball that many times and not having a turnover and protecting it like he did, I can't say enough good things about Mac.' You can catch Shanahan's full comments in the YouTube clip from the game.
To put Jones' current success in perspective, remember his glory days at Alabama under Saban. As a two-time national champion with the Crimson Tide, Jones was a force in his senior year of 2020, earning consensus All-American honors for an undefeated season. He racked up 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns—many of them to Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who was also a top pick in that year's NFL Draft. For context, the Heisman is college football's biggest individual award, like the MVP trophy, and being an All-American means you're among the nation's elite players.
Now, here's the controversial twist: Saban's criticism of the Patriots' coaching setup raises eyebrows. Was it really the staff's fault, or could Jones' own adaptation to the pro game have played a role? Some might argue that Belichick, a coaching icon, simply couldn't unlock Jones' potential, while others say the offense's struggles stemmed from broader team issues. And let's not forget, Belichick's departure after such a storied career—think of it as ending a dynasty—has fans debating if Jones was the scapegoat or just a symptom of decline. What do you think? Was the Patriots' environment truly toxic for Jones, or is there more to the story? Do you agree with Saban's take, or do you see a counterpoint here? Drop your opinions in the comments—we'd love to hear your side and spark some lively discussion!
