Bill Belichick Blamed for Mac Jones' Unsuccessful Patriots Tenure

Former Patriots running back Damien Harris believes head coach Bill Belichick's unconventional decisions contributed to quarterback Mac Jones' struggles and eventual departure from New England.

Mac Jones' tenure with the New England Patriots came to an abrupt end in March when he was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite leading the Patriots to the playoffs and earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021, Jones' performance was largely criticized, leaving many to question his future with the team.

Former Patriots running back Damien Harris, who played alongside Jones both in New England and at Alabama, has weighed in on the quarterback's struggles, pointing the finger at head coach Bill Belichick.

Harris believes that Belichick's unconventional decisions, such as handing the reins of the offense to Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, ultimately undermined Jones' development.

"What happened to Mac Jones in New England, was not because of Mac Jones," Harris said. "What happened in New England to Mac Jones was because of the fact you took away an offensive coordinator who coached him to be a Pro-Bowler and almost coached us to winning our division with a rookie quarterback."

He further criticized Belichick for being "stuck in his ways," which he believes played a role in Jones' departure.

"Now Mac Jones is in Jacksonville… the breath of Mac Jones in New England – it came and went. It shouldn’t have [gone] the way that it went," Harris continued. "The only reason that it did was because Bill Belichick, being stuck in his ways, was very much so ‘As long as I am here. As long as I am, along with Robert Kraft, the top dog at this organization, no matter who, no matter where, what position, where they coach, whatever, we will have success.’"

Harris also suggested that Belichick's ego may have played a role in the decision to bring Cam Newton to New England in 2020, a move that ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Despite his recent comments on Belichick, Harris maintains that he is grateful for the opportunity to have played under him, describing Belichick and Nick Saban as "the [two] greatest head coaches of all time."

Belichick, who had been the de facto general manager during his tenure in New England, was reportedly given final say over the roster. However, following the Patriots' disappointing 8-9 season in 2022, the team and Belichick "mutually agreed to part ways, amicably" in January after 24 years together.

Every NFL team with a job opening in the most recent hiring cycle passed on Belichick, leaving him without a head coaching gig for the first time in decades.