Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman explained his criticism of Mac Jones.
Edelman ripped Jones for his show of emotion during the Las Vegas Raiders game back in December. He explained an unwritten prerequisite for quarterbacks and why he was so hard on Jones, when appearing on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Keagan Stiefel.
“He’s a good kid, but you see people and who they really are when (expletive) is hitting the fan and you can’t do that as a quarterback,” said Edelman. “He’s a young guy and his situation that he was in — I’m not saying it was an easy situation, especially having Matty P calling plays. But everyone is watching you when you’re the quarterback. There’s something to be said about that, and there’s a standard. There’s rules.
“Don’t come at me saying, ‘Oh, well Brady,’ Brady had like three Super Bowls when (expletive) showed up a coach for one — for the first time. Not showed up a coach, but he got into an argument with someone and showed emotion. You can’t do that, especially when you’re still trying to learn who you are.”
Jones finished the season with 2,997 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
The quarterback played better during the second half of the season, but his on-field troubles still persisted. He finished with 243 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in the season finale loss to the Buffalo Bills.
This offseason could be different, as the Patriots now have an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Bill O’Brien. The quarterback is entering a critical third year for a Patriots team looking to become viable AFC contenders once again.
Edelman might have a point about the on-field behavior, as Jones continues to progress through his career and leads the offense. Nevertheless, all eyes will be on him as the de facto face of the franchise and a former first-round draft pick.
