New England quarterback Mac Jones talks with Coach Bill Belichick. Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots are making some big changes to try to improve their offense.
For now, a change at quarterback won’t be one of them.
New England Coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that Mac Jones will remain the starter when the Patriots visit the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Yeah, we’re not making any changes,” Belichick said.
Jones is having his worst season since being drafted 15th overall in 2021. He completed just 12 of 22 passes for 110 yards and two interceptions in New England’s 34-0 loss to New Orleans last week. He had a 30.5 passer rating, the second-worst mark of his career.
He has had six turnovers over the past two weeks, one of the biggest impediments for an offense that has managed just three points during that stretch. The Patriots (1-4) haven’t scored a touchdown in 10 quarters of play.
It’s led to a promise from Belichick that this week’s preparation for the Raiders would begin with a restart of sorts, focused on fundamentals including everything from pre-snap penalties to consistency in the run and passing games, to improved pass protection.
For Jones, that also has meant a recommitment to something else that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet – having fun. It was a point of emphasis Jones first made during training camp that he said has gotten lost during the Patriots’ slow start.
“You guys saw that in training camp, we were out there having fun. Then, the game comes around. I don’t know what it is,” he said. “We want to go out there and have fun and do our jobs and celebrate with each other. When somebody gets knocked down, pick them back up and all that stuff. So trying to change the narrative there and really just play football together.”
An increased fun quotient does two things, Jones said. It helps him relax, and also helps him be a more free-flowing communicator with those around him.
Following mistakes or poor offensive series in the two most recent losses, he’s often slumped quietly on the bench and had little interaction with his teammates. That must change, he said, if the unit is going to find a way out of its current malaise.
“(Self-doubt is) definitely a real thing, right, when you’re not playing too well,” Jones said. “But at the same time … there’s a lot of things I can do really well. And one of those things is my ability to communicate and be myself. I haven’t done that here at times. But I just need to be consistent with that, and be Mac.”
Asked whether he believes Jones is the right quarterback to get the offense back on track, tight end Hunter Henry pointed to his work ethic.
“He’s been through a lot of adversity in his own way,” Henry said. “I think the proof’s in the work. That guy comes to work every single day. No matter the circumstances, no matter what is going on around him. We’ve put a lot of work in together and we’ve got to rely on that work.”
As bad as things have been, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien believes there is time to fix the issues.
“There’s a lot of season left,” O’Brien said this week. “There’s always obituaries being written. But there’s a lot of football to be played.”
CONCUSSION IMPACT: With a pair of wideouts dealing with concussions and Tyquan Thornton readying for a return from injured reserve, some of the Patriots’ skill positions will be shaken up in Las Vegas.
JuJu Smith-Schuster and Pop Douglas both missed a second straight practice with concussions, and over the course of the past two seasons, no Patriots player has cleared the protocol for a Sunday game after missing Wednesday’s practice. There’s a good chance both will be sidelined against the Raiders.
So how will the wide receiver snaps shake out in Las Vegas?
It’s a safe bet that DeVante Parker will stay in his normal spot as New England’s “X” wide receiver, but things are up in the air from there. If Thornton is ready for a full workload, he could line up opposite him with Kendrick Bourne kicking inside for more reps in the slot. The Patriots could also have Kayshon Boutte active – he’s been a healthy scratch since Week 1 – though almost every snap he’s played was in the “X” spot when Parker was injured.
New England’s first injury report of the week was released on Wednesday, and the only other new addition was edge rusher Josh Uche, who is battling a new knee injury. Rhamdondre Stevenson (thigh) was removed this week, so that’s a positive sign for the New England offense.
On the Las Vegas side, Davante Adams (shoulder) didn’t practice on Wednesday, while Jakobi Meyers (wrist) and Maxx Crosby (knee) were both limited.
BACK AT PRACTICE: The Patriots need help with their offensive line. At the very least, they need to be healthy and on Wednesday, it appeared the unit was trending in the right direction as Michael Onwenu returned to practice.
The starting right guard left Sunday’s loss due to an ankle injury. He didn’t return in the Patriots loss and then missed Tuesday’s practice.
The Patriots have started eight offensive linemen this season, starting four guards.
This season, in four starts, Onwenu hasn’t allowed a sack or quarterback hit. He’s been flagged for one holding penalty. The right guard was the Patriots’ best offensive lineman last season, which saw him give up one sack in 17 starts.
Starting left guard Cole Strange has missed the last two games. Rookie Atonio Mafi has started in his place, but the fifth-round pick has allowed a team-high four sacks this season. Mafi was also benched last weekend for veteran Riley Reiff.
The Patriots’ offensive line will have its hands full this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders and Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby. He leads the Raiders with five sacks and seven quarterback hits this season.
The Patriots have struggled in both pass protection and run blocking this season. On Wednesday, center David Andrews said he’s trying to get his group back on track.
“Veteran of the group. Been here the longest. It starts with me,” Andrews said. “That’s part of it. I take a lot of pride in how we should play, how we need to play. I take a lot of pride in our room. I’ve been here a long way. I think it’s important to represent the way you play. It always does start up front.”
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