NFL

Mac Jones touts ‘fresh start’ with Bill Belichick after contentious year: ‘We’re good’

Mac Jones seems to be out of Bill Belich𓂃ick’s doghouse ahead of the 2023 NFL season.&nbℱsp;

The Patriots quarterback was frustrated at times during a rocky 2022 season and was even shopped around in potential trades 🗹after Belichick became livid with the signal-caller.

But in a press conference Wednesday, Jones said he and the head coach were now “good.”

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve all talked about is just having a fresh start. I think there’s a lot of learning experiences from last year that we’ve talked about and this year, it’s all about just working together, right?” Jo🧸nes said.

“You’ve got to come up with a plan,🐻 obviously talk about it, and then execute it. So, I’m excited for that part o🌠f it.” 

Jones was not one to hide his frustrations with the Patriots’ lack of success last year during a disaster 8-9 caℱ🌳mpaign.

With 💝the offense floundering, the 24-year-old reportedly looked outside the organization for help to spark his struggling squad. 

Mac Jones said his relationship with Bill Belichick has improved. AP
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during a news conference. AP

In January, Jones told some people he wasn’t happy with his circumstances and reportedly called hౠis alma mater, Alabama, askingಞ for advice without Belichick’s knowledge. 

Belichick found out about these conversations, leading to a rift that is now seemingღly resolve💝d. 

In New England’s losing season, Jones completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 2,997 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions –– a fall-off from his rookie year in which he led New England to a playoff berth.

Bill O’Brien, who was the Patriots’ offensive coordinator from 2009-2011, is returning ꦍto the position this season in an effort to rewire the team’s offense an🐓d reinvigorate Jones. 

Mac Jones of the New England Patriots celebrates with Marcus Jones and Kyle Dugger. Getty Images

“For me, I’m just trying to be really consistent, try not to ride t🦩he wave, just stay my course and hopefully, everybody on our offense feels that, too,” Jones said, .

“I think coach O’Brien does a great job laying out what we do well so far, and we’re going to learn every day what we do well, and then f🌊rom there, you just 🌼keep moving forward and execute the plan.” 

“We experimented with some things last year that frankly didn’t work when it came to [Jones],” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in March.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick Getty Images

“We made changes [this offseason] that I think put him in a good position to excel. I think bringing in Bill O’Brien will work to his advantage.”

Belichick has previously said he won’t commit to Jones as his starting quarterback.