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Former MVP breaks down what's wrong with Patriots' Mac Jones
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former MVP breaks down what's wrong with Patriots' Mac Jones

One-time NFL Most Valuable Player Joe Theismann earned a Super Bowl ring en route to becoming a Washington football icon and is the latest noteworthy individual to break down what's wrong with New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones this fall. 

"He makes throws that you scratch your head over," Theismann said about Jones during a chat with Paulina Dedaj of Fox News Digital. "I got to tell you, watching him — I've probably watched four or five games — he just doesn't look comfortable in a pocket. And if you aren't comfortable in a pocket, the ball's going to go places sometimes where you don't really, I don't think you really know. I mean, his accuracy is off."

Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer reported earlier this month that Jones had "really infuriated" individuals within the Patriots this season due to his poor decision-making during games. Breer later mentioned that Jones' "feet were a mess" during the Week 10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, while Super Bowl LIII Most Valuable Player Julian Edelman made it known he thinks the 2021 first-round draft pick has "lost his confidence." 

Theismann echoed such takes while speaking with Dedaj.

"The best way to describe what I see about him is he just doesn't look like somebody who has any confidence in a pocket," Theismann said about Jones. "He doesn't throw the ball with confidence. It's like, he's not sure. There's tremendous indecision in the way he plays that position. And if there's one position in football you have to be decisive at, [it] is the quarterback position."

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has now pulled Jones from four of 11 games this season, including this past Sunday's 10-7 loss at the New York Giants that dropped New England to 2-9. It's unknown if Jones or backup Bailey Zappe will start when the Pats host the 4-7 Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday, but Theismann suggested there's likely little Jones can do through Week 18 to prevent New England from looking for a replacement this coming offseason. 

"...You've got to see some type of a movement forward with progression as far as comfort level, accuracy in throws, making decisions with the ball in your hands," Theismann added about Jones. "He hasn't moved to the next level in any of those areas."

ESPN stats show Jones began Tuesday night ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 36.5 adjusted QBR and 29th with a 77.0 passer rating on the season. He recorded 10 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions over the club's first 11 games. 

"You keep hoping and waiting," Theismann continued. "I mean, Mac's been given so many opportunities to be able to find some semblance of rhythm in his game, and he really hasn't." 

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