Rob Gronkowski has called out some disrespect from what he’s noticed. But more so involving the quarterback once drafted to be the heir apparent to Tom Brady, Mac Jones.
Rob Gronkowski Believes Mac Jones Should Play Elsewhere
Speaking on Up and Adams with Kay Adams, Gronk is a resolute believer that Jones has played his final season with Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
“He’s not respected in New England,” Gronkowski said to Adams. “Coach Belichick has played all these games with him.”
“He’s not respected in New England..”
Gronk makes the case for Mac Jones to ask for his release and go to CLEVELAND. pic.twitter.com/ANnyoJM37Q
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) November 15, 2023
There continues to be a growing debate on who should have the starting reins at quarterback for the Pats. Lately, it’s been musical chairs between Jones and Bailey Zappe. Gronk, however, takes Jones’ side.
“Bailey Zappe isn’t even close to being on Mac Jones’ level. You should never, ever, sit Mac Jones,” Gronkowski said. “You tried it once, you tried it twice, it’s not working. Now he [Belichick] is doing it again. He won’t name a starting quarterback.”
Gronkowski Gives Idea for What Jones Should Do
So, if you’re Jones, how should you address your current situation?
Jones was noticeably pulled late during the Patriots’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany, in favor of Zappe. Belichick didn’t offer much of an explanation as to why he yanked Jones late. Jones, though, was dealing with a late injury that got him to walk over to the X-ray room, only to discover it was a bruise attached to his undisclosed injury.
But still, it was an afternoon that saw a costly interception and an earful from Jones’ offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Now, Gronkowski has an idea of what Jones’ words should be the next time he sees the Patriots’ brass.
“I think Mac Jones should ultimately, even right now, just go ask for a release,” Gronkowski said.
Then came this next stirring idea from the Super Bowl winner.
“And if that’s granted, he should go sign with the Cleveland Browns and start a new career there,” Gronkowski said. “How wild that would be?”
MORE: Mac Jones Has Reportedly Lost the Patriots Locker Room
That would mean Jones heads to a 6-3 team currently in the playoff hunt.
“I think he would fit. He has all the weapons all around him. And that will determine if Mac Jones is the real deal or not,” Gronkowski said.
Gronk Believes Jones Can Still Be an Effective NFL QB
Jones, clearly, hasn’t put together the kind of career Patriots fans expected when he was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Gronkowski, though, hasn’t lost all faith in him.
“I think he’s a decent quarterback. I think he definitely should well be in the NFL for a little bit, even if it’s as a backup for a little bit then a starter once again. I think he’s going to have a career,” Gronkowski said.
Still, Jones entered Foxboro with weighted pressure — from playing for a six-time Super Bowl winner to following the footsteps of an NFL legend.
“But I mean, it’s tough. He’s followed up Tom Brady. Well, Cam Newton followed up Brady. But he’s following the regime still of the Tom Brady era,” Gronkowski said. “All that pressure with the fans, with coach Belichick, and with the team.”
Gronkowski, however, believes not everything is Jones’ fault.
“I don’t think he has the weapons around him either. They’re dropping passes at the end of the game to go in and tie the game or possibly take the lead. And they’re dropping easy balls on him,” Gronkowski said.
“His confidence is going down, they’re never on the same page, I just don’t see it fitting anymore. I don’t see it healing anymore, either.”
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!
